A Commission was constituted viz. Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes Commission headed by Shri Dilip Singh Bhuria under provision of Article 339(1) of the Constitution in 2002 and submitted its report in 2004.
The Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes Commission had recommended on various subjects/issues like Scheduled Areas, Institutional arrangement for Scheduled Tribes, Planning Commission, Tribal Sub Plan, Land, Forest, Agriculture and allied sectors, Industry, Health and role of Panchayats.
Some Important Recommendations
The Gram Sabha at the hamlet/village level should exercise traditional functions such as management of land, forest, water and air.
States should consider reorganization of the boundaries based on ethnic, demographic and geographic considerations.
Tribal aspirations can be satisfied if tribal regions are conferred sub-state status. Grant of autonomous district council status for districts in central Indian tribal tracts will be in the nature of sub-federalism.
The schemes should pre-eminently be related to participative democracy, particularly at the grassroots and district levels.
The consent of the local village community should be obligatory. The rehabilitation package should be operated with the consent of the local village community. Viable and acceptable package of livelihood should be offered as a means of rehabilitation to the affected families.
The lower functionaries of departments/government servants posted in the autonomous districts should be under the control of the district councils.
The tribal community should be regarded as in command of the economic resources. The districts and other councils should make appropriate laws for regulation of land and other resources for industries.
A draft policy was created owing to the recommendations of Bhuria Commission.
