SUMMIT REPORT, Gangtok 10 Feb:
The second meeting of the Sikkim State High-Level Committee [SSHLC] was convened today at Old Sikkim House, New Delhi, focusing on the inclusion of 12 Left Out Communities in the Scheduled Tribes list.
Chaired by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, the meeting brought together SSHLC members, Members of Parliament from both houses, the Deputy Speaker, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, and community representatives.
During the session, the SSHLC presented its First Draft Report, which outlines arguments supporting the eligibility of the 12 communities based on five criteria: primitive traits, distinctive culture, shyness, geographical isolation, and backwardness. This draft serves as a foundation for further discussion and refinement, it is informed.
The Chief Minister commended the committee for preparing the draft in a short timeframe and emphasized the need for a comprehensive final report. He highlighted the importance of addressing queries raised by various Committees of the Government of India, particularly concerning data and information gaps noted by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Office of the Registrar General of India.
Sarika Pradhan, Secretary Social Welfare Department and Member Secretary of the SSHLC, welcomed attendees and outlined the meeting’s objectives. The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks proposed by Prem Kamal Rai, Joint Secretary of the Social Welfare Department.
The SSHLC was established by the State Government on 04 November, 2024, to create a detailed report supporting the inclusion of the 12 communities in the ST list. The committee’s first meeting took place in Gangtok on 15 December, 2024, with a timeline set for the final report’s submission within three months.
