A group of MPs from Maharashtra demanding inclusion of a community in the list of scheduled tribes were in for a surprise in the Lok Sabha today, when they were informed that the state government had withdrawn its recommendation for it some 35 years ago.
When members of NCP and Shiv Sena wanted to know the status of inclusion of Dhangad community in the list of STs during Question Hour, Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said the Maharashtra government had recommended the inclusion of the community in the ST list in 1979 but withdrew the proposal in 1981.
He also said a similarly named community was already in the list of STs in states including Chhattisgarh.
Oram said if a community is to be included or excluded from the ST list, the state government has to first make a recommendation with justification.
Then, the Registrar General of India has to agree to the proposal and the National Commission for Schedule Tribes has to give its concurrence. The issue is then taken up by the Union Cabinet for approval, he said.
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