"In the given circumstances it would not be possible to bring such a legislation...Covering the entire country," Deo said responding to the demands for a comprehensive bill to extend reservation benefits to different groups.
The Minister, however, promised to soon come out with a National Tribal Policy with a view to improving the plight of about 10 crore tribals in the country.
He said this while replying to a discussion on the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2011 seeking to include 'Medara' community in Karnataka in the list of Scheduled Tribes. The Bill was later approved by voice vote with support of all parties.
As regards the demand of a comprehensive bill to provide reservation benefits living in different parts of the country, Deo said the government had to follow the procedure and it could do little unless Parliament changes it.
Under the present norms, Registrar General of India (RGI) looks into the recommendations of the state government on inclusion and exclusion of a tribe in the scheduled list. The Centre can only persuade the RGI to expedite the matter, he said.
In several cases, he said, the RGI had turned down the recommendations of the state governments, while a few were still pending with the registrar.
Under the present dispensation, he said, it was not necessary that a tribe getting reservation in one state might also get the same benefit in other state. (MORE)
