The Assam administration has approved the Group of Ministers (GoM) report suggesting that the Center grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities in the state, a major step ahead of the Assembly elections next year.
The decision was made in the midst of these communities persistent protests over their long standing desire. Assam will be classified as a tribal state if the Center gives its assent.
At its meeting Friday night at Lok Sewa Bhawan, the Assam Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, adopted a number of important decisions.
Clearing the GoM report on giving six significant communities Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Motok, Koch Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribes (Adivasis) ST status was one of the key decisions.
Ministers Pijush Hazarika and Keshab Mahanta were members of the GoM, which was led by Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu. The report will now be presented to the Assam Legislative Assembly before being sent to the Indian government's Ministry of Home Affairs.
"The report will be placed in the Assam Legislative Assembly and thereafter sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs," stated the chief minister. "I hope that this report will represent the aspirations of all of us." The Tribal Affairs Department will submit the report to the Assembly today, he continued.
"The Tribal Affairs department will forward this report to the Assam assembly tomorrow, November 27, and the Speaker of the state assembly will permit it to be presented during the current session of the state assembly. The Chief Minister had stated on Wednesday that "the Speaker will decide when the report will be tabled."
Additionally, the Cabinet authorized the transfer of three bighas of land from the Handloom, Textiles & Sericulture Department to the Cultural Affairs Department at the Government Muga Farm in Reshom Nagar, Khanapara.
A state of the art museum devoted to conserving and presenting Assam's rich textile legacy will be established on the property.
The historic Vrindavani Vastra, which is being loaned from the British Museum in London, will be on display at the museum, which is being created with assistance from JSW I&P Holdings Pvt. Ltd.
