STRUCTURE:
INTRODUCTION – A short 2 lines introduction that gives insight to Scheduled tribes
BODY
Divided to 2 parts
1.Explain the functions of Procedure for Inclusion
2.Examine the benefits of Inclusion
CONCLUDE- Briefly write how the inclusion has helped the position of scheduled tribes
The Constitution of India in Article 366 (25) prescribe that the Scheduled Tribes means such tribes or tribal communities as are deemed under Article 342 of the Constitution to be Scheduled Tribes.
Procedure for Inclusion of a Tribe into the List of Scheduled Tribes:
- The process begins with a proposal from the concerned State Government or Union Territory (UT) administration, justifying the tribe’s inclusion.
- After the proposal, the Registrar General of India (RGI) RGI examines and concurs with the recommendation.
- The proposal is then sent to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) for approval.
- Once the RGI and NCST concur, the government processes the proposal for legislative amendment to include the tribe in the list of Scheduled Tribes.
Criteria for Inclusion: (Lokur Committee,1965)
- Primitive traits
- Distinctive culture
- Geographical isolation
- Shyness of contact with the community at large
- Backwardness
Benefits of Inclusion in the ST List:
- Reservation in Educational Institutions - Article 15(4)
- Article 244 provides special protections for Scheduled Areas.
- Article 243D mandates reserved seats in local self-government bodies.
- Article 330 guarantees representation of Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha.
- Access to government schemes, welfare programs, and financial assistance.
- Safeguards for tribal customs, practices, and rights over natural resources
Some of the notable benefits include –
- The enrollment rate of scheduled tribes' students in HEIs is twice that of all categories' enrollment rates in science from 2016-17 to 2020-21 (AISHE-2021)
- Of 543 seats for elected representatives in the Lok Sabha, 47 seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes.
- The PLFS 2018-19 report reveals an improvement in literacy rate of STs at 69.4% as compared to 78.1% over all.
Thus the Procedure and Criteria of inclusion of a tribe into list of Scheduled tribes concluded and it has been beneficial which is seen through the improvements in status of scheduled tribes
