Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Opposition legislators from Congress and Raijor Dal walked out of the Assam Assembly on Tuesday, July 14. They demanded answers regarding the stalled Scheduled Tribe status for six indigenous communities. The Moran, Motok, Chutia, Tai Ahom, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribes want this status for reservations in schools and government jobs.
Leader of the Opposition Wajed Ali Choudhury raised the issue using Rule 301. He pressed the government for a hard deadline. "Why is it taking so much time? The government has made repeated announcements, but nothing concrete has come out. At what stage is the matter pending with the State and the Centre?" Choudhury asked.
Tribal Affairs Minister Ranoj Pegu defended the delay. He blamed stakeholder suggestions and recent Assembly elections. Pegu noted that a Group of Ministers finished a report. He claimed the Chief Minister approved modifications and the file is heading to the Centre. Yet, Pegu refused to provide a specific completion date.
Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi pushed for a deadline. The government stayed silent. The opposition responded by walking out of the House.
The Group of Ministers tabled an interim report last November. It suggests a three-tier reservation system to avoid cutting quotas for current tribal groups. The proposal creates a new ST Valley category for the Tai Ahom, Chutia, Tea Tribes, and Koch-Rajbongshi, minus those from undivided Goalpara. It also puts Moran, Motok, and Goalpara Koch-Rajbongshi into the existing ST Plains category. Officials must still hold more talks, as any final move requires a constitutional amendment in Parliament.
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