The Odisha government’s proposals for the inclusion of 169 communities in the Scheduled Tribes list are still lying with the Union government.
Cooperation Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak informed this while replying to a query raised by Udula MLA Bhaskar Madhei during the question-and-answer hour in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Odisha Legislative Assembly.
The Udula MLA and a few other members raised the question of several communities still being excluded from the list of Scheduled Tribes.
Since the minister of the concerned department was absent in the House, Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare and Cooperation Minister Nayak responded.
“We have demanded for the inclusion of 169 communities in the Scheduled Tribes list. Our Chief Minister had written letter to the then Union Minister requesting him to approve the proposals for inclusion of the communities in the Scheduled Tribes list on February 19, 2021. These proposals are still lying with the Union government,” informed Nayak.
“Since these people are facing problems in enjoying their rights, in the coming days, we will raise the demand with the Union government in a more forceful manner,” added Nayak.