ST Status for Six Assam Communities Will Take Time, Says Union Minister

Guwahati: Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram on Tuesday said the demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for six communities in Assam will take more time, as the process under Article 342 of the Constitution involves multiple constitutional authorities before a final decision is taken by the Centre.

After reviewing tribal welfare programmes with Assam Minister Ranoj Pegu, Oram said the meeting also assessed the progress of Eklavya Model Residential Schools, Van Dhan Kendras, scholarship schemes and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, while discussing measures to strengthen tribal development across the state.