Chairman, Commission for STs, assures to discuss LT seat issue with CM

GANGTOK, 19 April: “Till date, no proposals have reached the Commission office for its recommendation to reserve seats for Limboo and Tamang communities in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly,” informed Dr. Rameshwar Oraon, Chairman for National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
Speaking to the media-persons, after a review meeting with the senior officials of the State Government including the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, here at Tashiling Secretariat conference hall, Dr. Oraon said, “Though his Commission is an independent body, it works under the jurisdiction of the Constitution of India and as per the Constitution no new seats can be created till 2026.”
The Chairman is also new to the special arrangements in place in Sikkim.

When appraised that 12 seats for Bhutia-Lepcha are already reserved in the State Assembly, and that these are community-specific and not for Scheduled Tribes although the BLs are also STs, Dr. Oraon said, “As far as Constitution of India is concerned, seats are reserved for tribals as for the special situation in Sikkim, I have to study the present seat reservation arrangement in more detail.”
“I am meeting the Chief Minister in the evening and will definitely discuss this issue with him,” he said when he was informed that reservation of seats for Limboo and Tamang communities by virtue of their having been included in the Scheduled Tribes list was one of the demands raised by the ruling party during the two-day bandh called by it recently.
As for the review meeting, Dr. Oraon said, “I was very happy to find that no case of atrocity against tribals was reported in Sikkim.”
“I was also happy to learn that tribal literacy rate in the State stands at 70%, which is far higher than the national average,” he commented, adding that he would urge the Chief Minister to cover the remaining 30% within a span of 3-4 years.
Besides, more quotas for tribal students for higher studies and establishments of more Eklavya Model Residential Schools for tribal students will be discussed with the Chief Minister, he said.
“And the outcome of this will be submitted to the President of India”, the Chairman said.
Dr. Oraon, accompanied by two officials from the Commission, is on a three-day visit to the State and will be returning to Delhi on Wednesday.