Lok Sabha clears Bills to make additions to ST lists of Odisha, A.P.
- Recently, two Bills which seek to modify the list of SCs and STs in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha were passed by the Lok Sabha.
- The Bills had already been cleared by the Rajya Sabha.
Expansion of the List
- In Odisha, it will add four Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the list.
- The new communities added include Pauri Bhuyan, Paudi Bhuyan, Chuktia Bhunjia, Bondo and Mankidia.
- In Andhra Pradesh, three PVTGs viz. Bondo Porja, Khond Porja and Parangiperja are being added to the list of STs.
Process of Inclusion in the ST List
- The process begins with the recommendation from the respective State governments.
- These recommendations are then sent to the Tribal Affairs Ministry, which reviews and sends them to the Registrar General of India for approval.
- This is followed by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes’ approval before the list is sent to the Cabinet for a final decision.
Benefits in the Inclusion in the ST List
- It will enable members of the communities to derive benefits meant for STs under the existing schemes of the government.
- These include post-matric scholarship, overseas scholarship and the national fellowship, besides education, concessional loans from the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation, and hostels for students.
- In addition, they will also be entitled to benefits of reservation in services and admission to educational institutions as per the government policy.
Prelims Takeaway
- Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
- Process and Benefits of Inclusion in the ST List
- Reservation Policy