The Himal World
Gangtok, 10 February

Members of the Sikkim State High Level Committee (SSHLC) for inclusion of 12 Left-Out communities of Sikkim in the Scheduled Tribe List presented the first draft report for discussion and deliberations in the panel's second meeting in New Delhi on Monday.

The second meeting of the SSHLC at the Old Sikkim House in New Delhi was chaired by Sikkim’s Chief Minister PS Tamang (Golay), and in attendance were all members of the SSHLC, Members of Parliament from both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, Deputy Speaker, Cabinet Ministers of the Government of Sikkim, MLAs, and Advisors belonging to the 12 Left Out Communities. Representatives of the 12 Left Out Communities were also present in the meeting, it is learnt.

“During the meeting, the Members of the SSHLC presented the First Draft Report on the 12 Left Out Communities for discussion and deliberation. The draft report highlights how the communities fulfil the five criteria of Primitive traits, distinctive culture, shyness, geographical isolation and backwardness thus justifying their case for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list,” Sikkim’s Social Welfare Department said in a statement.

“The Hon’ble Members emphasized that this is a preliminary draft, prepared based on information collected through structured templates submitted by community members. They also informed that further research and reference documents are being compiled for incorporation into the final report,” it added.

Officials said that the final report will be prepared after careful consideration of all necessary aspects to strengthen the case for recognition and inclusion of these communities in the ST list.

“During the deliberations, the Hon’ble Chief Minister expressed his appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the SSHLC members in preparing the first draft report within a short timeframe. He commended the scientific and technical approach undertaken and advised that the final report must be comprehensive, well-researched, and inclusive of all necessary aspects,” the statement said.

The Chief Minister also urged members of the SSHLC and representatives of the ethnic communities to address queries and concerns raised by various committees of the Government of India.

“He specifically highlighted the critical issues of data and information gaps pointed out by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Office of the Registrar General of India. He called upon the members to provide responses that are convincing, conclusive, and well-substantiated, ensuring that the Government of India is equipped with all necessary evidence to take a final decision on incorporating the 12 Sikkimese ethnic communities into the ST list under the Constitution of India,” the release added.

In her welcome address, Sarika Pradhan, Secretary, Member Secretary, SSHLC and Social Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim, outlined the objectives of the meeting. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Prem Kamal Rai, Joint Secretary, Social Welfare Department.

It may be mentioned that the SSHLC was constituted by the Sikkim Government on 4 November 2024, vide Notification No: 59/SWD/ADM/2024, to prepare a comprehensive and scientific report on the inclusion of the 12 Left Out Communities of Sikkim in the ST list.

The first meeting of the SSHLC was held in Gangtok on 15 December 2024. Subsequently, a corrigendum (Memo No. 189-192/SWD/ADM dated 23/12/2024) was issued, setting a timeline of three months from the date of the first meeting for the submission of the final report to the State Government.