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The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2022, was passed by the Lok Sabha. In relation to the state of Tripura, the bill proposes to alter the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, to include specific communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes. The bill proposes to add the “Darlong” community to the Scheduled Tribes list as a sub-tribe of the “Kuki.” Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda, who introduced the bill in the House, stated that the Narendra Modi government is devoted to the development of tribal areas and the care of tribal communities. According to him, the law was introduced with the goal of including the Darlong group as a subtribe of the Kuki people in Tripura. According to him, the modification is being sought since members from the same community live in separate sub tribes in hilly areas and have been omitted off the list for a long time.
Later, during a Lok Sabha debate on the bill, Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda stated that the government is committed to the overall development of tribal areas. According to him, the Prime Minister has emphasised that the nation’s progress cannot be fulfilled without supporting the welfare and development of tribal populations and tribal areas. According to him, the allocation of funding for the Scheduled Tribe Component-STC has gradually increased. He told the House that the allocation was only 16 thousand 111 crore rupees in 2014-15, but that it was enhanced to 87 thousand 585 crore rupees in 2021-22 under STC. According to him, the government is undertaking Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana with the goal of integrating development of tribal communities by providing health, education, and tap water to the people. When it comes to educational facilities in tribal communities, the Tribal Affairs Minister stated that the budget for the running of Eklavya Model Residential Schools was just 278 crore rupees in 2014, but that it has now been increased to one thousand 418 million rupees. He went on to say that only 160 such institutions were open in 2014, but that number has now risen to 365. He further informed the House that the Finance Minister has put aside around 28 thousand crore rupees for the establishment of 700 more such schools over the next five years.
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Constitution Order Bill 2022 – Why was it introduced?
The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill 2022 proposes the inclusion of a community – Darlong in the Tripura Scheduled Tribes list, as members from the same community live in various sub-tribes in mountainous areas and had been omitted from the list for a long time.
Constitution Order Bill 2022 – Key Provisions
- The Tripura state administration had proposed that the “Darlong” people be included to the list of Scheduled Tribes in the state of Tripura as a sub-tribe of the “Kuki.”
- On the basis of this recommendation, it was recommended to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 to change the list of Scheduled Tribes in Tripura.
- The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2022 proposes amending Part XV-Tripura of the Schedule to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 to add the “Darlong” people as a sub-tribe of “Kuki” after item (iii) Chhalya in entry 9 of the list of Tripura’s Scheduled Tribes.
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Constitution Order Bill 2022 – Its Benefits
The addition of the community to the list of Tripura’s Scheduled Tribes may result in higher spending because members of the group will be eligible for the same benefits under existing Scheduled Tribes welfare initiatives.
The additional cost will be absorbed within the Government’s allocated budgeted outlay. The additional expenses that will be incurred on this account have yet to be calculated.
Constitution Order Bill 2022 – Significance
The Tribal Affairs Minister stated that the government is committed to the overall development of tribal communities while introducing the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill 2022.
He further stated that the allotment of monies under the Scheduled Tribe Component-STC has been gradually increasing. While the budget was only Rs 16,111 crore in 2014-15, it was increased to Rs 87,585 crore in 2021-22.
The IT Ministry has launched a project with a budget of roughly Rs 7000 crore to provide broadband and 4G connectivity to all villages under the ST component to improve village connectivity.
The centre is also conducting the Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana, which aims to ensure integrated development of tribal areas by providing people with a variety of educational, health, and water-related programmes.
