Bill to modify list of STs in Chhattisgarh, Kerala passed in

A bill to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes in Chhattisgarh and Kerala that would help tribal communities in the two states was passed by the Rajya Sabha today.
Replying to the debate on the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2013, Tribal Affairs Minister V Kishore Chandra Deo said the Centre considers inclusion of any community in the ST list only after receiving request from state governments.
He admitted, as pointed out by some members, that certain communities have been given ST status in one state and Scheduled Caste in another state.
He further said his ministry was ready to consider requests of state governments regarding inclusion of communities in ST list even if their proposals have rejected by the Registrar General of India.

The bill was passed by Lok Sabha on August 24.
Participating in the debate, Faggan Singh Kulaste (BJP) said there are 75 ST tribes and the government should initiate steps for their all-round development including health and education.

Avtar Singh Karimpuri (BSP) raised the issue of small number of ST officials in Secretary rank.
P Rajeeve (CPI-M) raised the issue of death of 60 children belonging to ST died due to malnutrition in Kerala.
The minister said the issue has been taken up with the ministries concerned.
Others who participated in the debate included K R Arjunan (AIADMK), Birendra Prasad Baishya (AGP), V P Singh Badnore (BJP), D Bandyopadhyay (Trinamool) and Dharmendra Pradhan (BJP).