Sonowal for including one member from Assam in Nat'l ST Commn

The Assam government would send a proposal to the Centre to include one member from the state in the National ST Commission, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said here today.

"The state government would move a proposal to the Centre to include one retired Indian Administrative Service or State Civil Service officer from Assam as member in the National ST Commission and the system of forwarding recommendation by the Tribal Sangha for issue of caste certificate would continue as earlier," the chief minister said at a meeting with the ST organisations of the state here today.

The state government has taken up the initiative to provide land patta to the tribal people with the committee for protection of land rights of indigenous people set up by the state government under the chairmanship of former chief election commissioner HS Brahma having already submitted its report and steps are being taken to implement the same, he said.

Sonowal also assured to take adequate steps for inclusion of 535 villages of Sonitpur and Biswanath districts under the panchayat system which are yet to be included.

He also reaffirmed the state governments commitment to continue eviction drive against all encroachments of land falling under grazing land, tribal belt, reserved and other forests, satra and other government land.

Sonowal said the government would thoroughly study all the 12 demands placed by the committee and its decisions would be communicated to the coordination committee accordingly.

Representatives of All Assam Tribal Sangha, All Bodo Students Union, All Rabha Students Union, Mising Students Union, Deuri Students Union, Madashi Students Union, Tiwa Students Union, Hajong Students Union, Karbi Students Union, Dimasa Students Union and TMPK attended the meeting on behalf of the coordination committee.