Guwahati: The Assam government on Thursday said it is not in a position to indicate when the Autonomous Councils of several plains tribal communities could be brought under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution or when Scheduled Tribe (ST) status might be granted to six communities, stating that both issues depend on decisions by the Centre and Parliament.
The clarification was given by Tribal Affairs (Plains) Minister Ranoj Pegu while replying to a starred question raised by Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi on the 10th day of the 16th Assam Legislative Assembly Budget Session.
Pegu told the Assembly that the Centre is examining the proposal to bring the Autonomous Councils of the Rabha, Tiwa, Mising, Deori, Sonowal Kachari and Thengal Kachari communities under the Sixth Schedule.
He said inclusion of any area under the Sixth Schedule is governed by the Central Government and the Parliamentary process, and therefore the state government cannot commit to any timeline for completing the exercise.
Addressing another question on financial support provided to these Autonomous Councils since 2016, the minister said council-wise details of annual allocations, administrative expenses and development expenditure have been placed before the House in Annexure ‘A’ attached to the official reply.
The minister said any decision on Scheduled Tribe status for the Moran, Motok, Tai Ahom, Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes communities lies with the Central Government and Parliament, making it impossible for the state to announce a timeline.
Pegu clarified that the state government has not taken up any proposal to include the Kalita and Nath Yogi communities in the Scheduled Tribe category.
He added that a separate recommendation has already been submitted to the Centre seeking Plains Scheduled Tribe status for the Modahi community through Letter ECF No. 232944/34 dated January 10, 2024.