NCST recommends 18 communities, 2 from J'khand for ST category

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribal today said it has recommended 18 communities, including two from Jharkhand, to enlist in ST category.
"The Commission has recommended to the Centre to include 18 communities in the ST list, including Puraon and Bhokta from Jharkhand," Commission's chairperson and former union minister Rameshwar Oraon told reporters here.
Oraon, who met senior officials including Jharkhand Chief Secretary Rajiv Gauba today, said the Commission also advised the state to initiate targeted expenditure under Tribal Sub-plan (TSP) and follow the pattern of other states doing well in TSP expenditure.
The Commission suggested the state to work on individual basis to improve the economic condition of tribals.

"The tribals inherently depend on agriculture, and depend on rain water... Irrigation facilities should be provided to them," Oraon, who headed the three-member Commission, said.
He said the tribal land should be protected and strict action should be taken against middle persons, even if they were tribals.

Focusing on the "dwindling" population of some primitive tribes like Sourya Paharia, Oraon said they should be protected through proper deployment of doctors and provision of medical facilities.
"Their longevity is affected by disease like TB (tuberculosis). Medical and health facilities should be provided in their areas," Oraon said.
Stating that fourteen cases of exploitation have been registered in Jharkhand,he said land usurpation was also a kind of exploitation.