New Delhi:Parliament has passed the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill 2022 with the Rajya Sabha approving it today. The Bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha. The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order 1950 to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes in Tamil Nadu. The bill includes Narikoravan and Kurivikkaran communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes in Tamil Nadu.
Replying to the discussion, Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda said, tribal communities are oppressed since independence and remained deprived of rights. He said, irrespective of their less population Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government considered them equally. Listing various tribal welfare activities Mr Munda said, several dialect related to the tribal communities are safeguarded through the New Education Policy.
Earlier, participating in the debate, BJP Leader GVL Narasimha Rao said the Bill provides for the inclusion of two communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes. He said this sends a message that Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas is an egalitarian principle of the Narendra Modi government.
He added that it is an expression of the Modi government’s commitment to the welfare of the marginalized. Ryaga Krishnaiah of YSRCP spoke in support of the Bill and expressed gratitude to the Modi government for bringing the Bill. H D Devegowda of JDS suggested that there are many tribal communities that required government attention for their inclusion. Mausam Noor of TMC, Tiruchi Siva of DMK, and Sant balbir Singh of Aam Aadmi Party among others participated in the discussion.