Guwahati, Nov 27: Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, has urged the Central government to expedite the process of granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six ethnic groups in Assam, namely the Adivasi/Tea Tribes, Tai Ahom, Maran, Motock, Chutia, and Koch-Rajbongshi.
Highlighting the socio-economic challenges faced by these communities, Gogoi called for swift legislative action to address their longstanding demands.
In his submission before the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla under Rule 377 on Wednesday, Gogoi said the six ethnic groups have faced socio-economic marginalization and have long demanded ST status to access constitutional protections, affirmative action, and government welfare schemes.
Gogoi said the issue has been an electoral promise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam.
“The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on January 8, 2019, to amend Assam’s ST list and include these six communities. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has already approved the inclusion of these groups,” he said.
Gogoi emphasized that the delay in passing the bill has perpetuated socio-economic discrimination against these communities, denying them access to essential constitutional safeguards and equitable representation.
He stressed that the prolonged wait has deepened the struggles of these marginalized groups.
Gogoi reiterated that passing the bill is a fundamental responsibility of the government to meet the expectations of the affected communities and provide them with the protections guaranteed under the law.
He urged the government to prioritize the enactment of the amendment bill to alleviate the suffering of these groups and fulfil their constitutional rights.
