Bill adds 41 communities to Assam's Scheduled Tribes list

This grants these communities the constitutional status of Scheduled Tribes in relation to Assam.

Who it concerns: Members of the 41 specific communities listed in the Bill (such as Chutiya, Matak, Moran, Koch Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, and others) residing in the State of Assam.

What the bill does

• Inserts entries 15 through 55 into Part II (Assam) of the Schedule to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.
• Specifically includes communities such as Chutiya, Matak, Moran, Koch Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom, Mal Paharia, Kawar, Lodha, Baiga, Nagasia, Bhil, Gorait, Halba, Majwar, Dhanwar, Asur, Pradhan, Khond, Korwa, Kherwar, Chero, Koya, Birhor, Parja, Mirdha, Kishan, Chik Baraik, Kol, Saora, Birjia, Damdari, Bonda, Mahli, Shabar, Kharia, Gond, Munda, Oraon, Bedia, Santal, and Bhumij.
• The inclusion is based on the recommendation of the State of Assam.

Also in the document

• This is a Constitutional amendment Bill.
• The Financial Memorandum states that the amendment will entail no additional recurring expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India, as benefits will be accommodated within existing Annual Plan and non-Plan outlays for Scheduled Tribes welfare.
• The Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on January 8, 2019.