Shillong: The long-debated issue of amending the Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Scheduled Castes (SC) list in Meghalaya has seen a crucial development during the Budget Session.
Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh informed the House that a Working Group Committee has been established to assess and recommend changes to the ST list under the Presidential Order of 1950.
The amendment has been a subject of discussion for years, with various communities seeking inclusion or exclusion based on socio-economic factors. The committee will analyze historical and demographic data before submitting its recommendations.
While stakeholders have welcomed the move, they stress the importance of transparency in the decision-making process. Any changes to the ST list could significantly impact education, employment, and social welfare policies in the state.
This update came in response to a question from MLA Adelbert Nongrum regarding the status of the proposed amendment to the ST/SC Presidential Act 1950, which the government had previously assured during the Winter Session.
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