Assam Govt. sets up ST committee

Assam Government today notified a committee of Group of Ministers to look in the status of the existing Tribals of Assam following the Schedule Tribe status to be given to the six new communities.

Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma will head the Committee and Chandan Brahama shall be the Convenor. The other members are Pallab Lochan Das, Naba Doley and Tapan Gogoi.

This committee will examine and send the modalities for granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities of Assam to the Centre without harming the rights of the tribes that are currently enjoying the status in the state.

Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who met Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Saturday, said, "The home minister clearly stated that the Government of India has decided to grant ST status to six communities of Assam and in the backdrop of this decision, work will proceed further. But while doing so, he (Singh) has assured that measures will be taken accordingly so that the decision doesn't harm the communities already enjoying the ST status in Assam."

The existing tribals are cautious and worried that addition of six more groups as Schedule Tribe may harm their own interest.