ST status demand: SSHLC to complete final report by March 31

BIJOY GURUNG

This time, we are confident of getting tribal status: EIECOS+1

GANGTOK, : The tribal status demand of the 12 left-out Sikkimese communities is gaining urgency with all efforts being made to prepare the final ethnographic report by March 31, followed by submissions to concerned ministries in April, and finally to Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he visits Sikkim in May.

A working plan in this order was explored on February 10 when the Sikkim State Level High Committee (SSHLC) submitted its draft report to the Sikkim government and stakeholders during the meeting held in New Delhi.

This time, we are fully confident that under the leadership of Chief Minister PS Golay and blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 12 left-out communities of Sikkim will definitely achieve the ST status, said EIECOS+1 chairman Dr. SK Rai at a press meet here on Tuesday.

Chief Minister PS Golay had chaired the New Delhi discussions, the second such meeting of the SHHLC led by Prof BV Sharma since it was constituted by the Sikkim government last November. The committee, consisting of prominent experts, is tasked to prepare a comprehensive ethnographic report to justify the tribal status demand of the 12 left-out communities.

Briefing the media regarding the Delhi meeting, EIECOS+1 chairman Dr. SK Rai informed that the SSHLC members gave an individual presentation of their draft ethnographic reports of the 12 left-out Sikkimese communities. The SSHLC has prepared detailed draft ethnographic reports of all the 12 left-out communities, focussing on the five major criteria - primitive traits, distinctive culture, shyness, geographical isolation and backwardness - for justifying their ST status demand, he said.

EIECOS +1 is the umbrella organisation of the 12 Sikkimese communities to take forward the ST status demand. The organisation’s chairman is also a member of the SSHLC.

“During the meeting, the Chief Minister urged the communities to work with the SSHLC and to address any additional queries or requirements for preparation of the final report. The Chief Minister spoke about the aim to have the SSHLC complete and submit its final report to the Sikkim government by March 31,” said Dr. Rai.

After the final report is submitted, the government aims to have it published in book-form in April first week, and submit the same to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, ORGI and other concerned ministries in the second-third weeks, informed Dr. Rai.

And finally when the Prime Minister visits Sikkim for the State’s Golden Jubilee celebrations on May 16 as the chief guest, the Chief Minister will also raise the tribal status demand with the Prime Minister, said the EIECOS+1 chairman.

In order to prepare the final report, the SSHLC members are scheduled to visit Sikkim soon for a field study. They will be visiting the remote villages to meet the community elders as primary data collected from such interactions helps to strengthen the final ethnographic reports, it was informed.

Three members each from the left-communities are to be chosen to stay engaged with the SSHLC and help the experts in securing additional information and data.

To a question, Dr. Rai asserted that the EIECOS+1 is confident that “all the 12 left-out communities” will get the tribal status as the demand is collectively taken up for all the communities by the SSHLC, the State government and the stakeholders. 

Pic: Chief Minister PS Golay chaired the second meeting of SSHLC with Sikkim government and stakeholders on February 10 at New Delhi. File Photo

Timeline of SSHLC

November 4, 2024: The Sikkim government constitutes Sikkim State High Level Committee (SSHLC) with Prof BV Sharma as its chairman and Prof Mahendra P Lama as vice chairman.

December 15, 2024: The SSHLC holds its first meeting at Samman Bhavan, Gangtok with Sikkim government led by Chief Minister PS Golay, and representatives of the 12 left-out communities. 

February 10, 2025: The second meeting of SSHLC was held in Old Sikkim House, New Delhi where the committee submitted its draft report to the Sikkim government and representatives of the 12 left-out communities.

By March 31, 2025: The SSHLC is expected to complete its studies and submit its final ethnographic report to the Sikkim government.