Union Cabinet gives approval to Amendments in Constitution ST Order, 1950

Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 May 2016 gave the ex-post facto approval to the amendments in the Constitution (Schedule Tribes) Order, 1950.
•    The approval was given to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes in respect of five States, namely, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Tripura
•    Assam - i) Boro, Boro Kachari,    Bodo, Bodo Kachari, ii) Karbi (Mikir)
•    Chhattisgarh - iii) Bhuinya, Bhuiyan, Bhuyan, iv) Dhanuhar / Dhanuwar, v)  Kisan
•    vi) Saunra, Saonra, vii) Dhangad
•    Jharkhand - viii) Bhogta, Deshwari, Ganjhu, Dautalbandi (Dwalbandi), Patbandi, Raut, Maajhia, Khairi (Kheri), ix)  Puran
•    Tamil Nadu - x) Malayali Gounder, xi) Narikoravan,      Kurivikkaran
•    Tripura - xii) Darlong
•    Puducherry - xiii) Irular (including Villi and Vettaikaran)
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•    Besides, it also seeks to identify new communities in the Union Territory of Puducherry.
•    After the Bill becomes an Act, members of the communities included in the list of Scheduled Tribes will be able to derive benefits meant for Scheduled Tribes under the existing schemes.
•    Further, existing entries in list of Scheduled Castes (SCs) in case of Jharkhand and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) /Most Backward Classes (MBCs) of Central /State lists would be modified.
•    Under Article 342 of the Constitution of India certain privileges/concessions to the members of Scheduled Tribes has been provided.
•    As per the approved Modalities of June 1999, later modified in June 2002, any proposal for inclusion/exclusion by the concerned State Government/UT Administration shall be in concurrence with the both the Registrar General of India (RGI) as well as the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).