Lok Sabha Passes Bill Granting Scheduled Tribe Status to Jammu and Kashmir Communities

• 08 Feb 2024

On 6^th February, 2024, the Lok Sabha approved the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024, marking a significant milestone in addressing the long-standing demand of several communities in the region.

Key Points

• Empowerment of Communities: The historic legislation aims to extend Scheduled Tribe status to the Pahari Ethnic Group, Padari Tribes, Koli, and Gadda Brahmin communities in Jammu and Kashmir, fulfilling their enduring aspirations for recognition and empowerment.
• Reservation Assurance: The inclusion of these communities in the Scheduled Tribes list will not diminish the existing reservation benefits accorded to other Scheduled Tribe groups such as Gujjars and Bakarwals. Their reservation entitlements will remain unaffected.
• Ensuring Equitable Reservation: Reservation provisions for the newly recognized Scheduled Tribes will be implemented in a manner that safeguards the reservation rights of the already listed communities.
• Necessary notifications on reservation will be issued by the Government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain parity in reservation levels.