The government is considering recognising some tribal languages and dialects with an aim to preserve them, Union Tribal Affairs minister Jual Oram said today.
"We are considering to accord recognisation to some tribal languages and dialects such as Munda, HO under the 8th Schedule of the Constitution like Santali language, which had already been recognised," said Oram, who was in the steel city to take part in the concluding function of the 6th Santhali and Regional festival organised by All India Santali Film Association (AISFA).
We are working in this connection, he said, adding that the recognition of tribal languages would help promote and preserve them.
Besides, his ministry was also working on the modalities to enlist and delist some caste and tribes into Schedule Tribe category, he said.
When asked about the tribes and castes to be included or excluded like Kurmis demanding their inclusion into ST category, the minister said the opinion of Anthropological Survey of India and Registrar General of India was not yet received in this regard.
Oram said the priority of his ministry was to ensure quality education, construction of hostel and providing modern computer education to tribal youths.
With regard to the healthcare sector, the minister said the tribals healthcare index was on the lower side.
Hence, our second priority is health sector, he said.
To a query about tribals' demand for recognition of their religion Sarna as well as its code, Oram said the religious customs and system of tribals and Hindus are same.
Some tribals called their religion as Sarna but they were part of Hinduism, he claimed.
On the Santali and regional film personalities' demand for setting up Jharkhand Film Development Council in the state, Oram said though it was not under the jurisdiction of his ministry but assured to take up the issue with the department concerned.
