The Committee of the Group of Ministers (GoM) formed by the Assam government has suggested a new policy to include six communities in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list without affecting the current rights of the existing tribal groups in the state. The recommendations come after long discussions with various organisations, community leaders and experts. The GoM has said that its proposal aims to strike a balance between long-pending demands and the need to protect the existing socio-political and economic privileges of the current ST communities of Assam.
The Ministers’ Group examined several issues before drafting the proposal. According to the report, the GoM tried to convince the existing tribal groups to accept the six communities as Scheduled Tribes (Plains), given their socio-economic disadvantages. A joint meeting between the Tai-Ahom representatives and plains tribal organisations was held in the presence of Tribal Affairs (Plains) Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu and Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Pijush Hazarika. However, differences remained, and further consultations were required. The Committee therefore decided to submit an interim report instead of a final one.
One of the major recommendations in the report is the introduction of a three-tier classification of Scheduled Tribes in Assam. This includes ST (Plains) for the existing plains tribes, ST (Hills) for the existing hill tribes, and a new category called ST (Valley) for the six communities seeking inclusion. The GoM has stated that this structure will help reorganise reservations in Parliament, the Assam Legislative Assembly and local bodies in a way that does not reduce the benefits enjoyed by the existing ST groups. 
However, the report also mentions that this system can be implemented only if the Parliament enacts special legislation. The Assam government will request the Centre to provide statutory recognition for this three-fold classification. The GoM has said that this recommendation is in line with the earlier Resolution of the Assam Assembly, which had supported granting ST status to the six communities without harming the rights of the current tribal groups.
Under the proposed plan, the ST (Valley) category will include Ahom, Chutia, Tea Tribes, Adivasi groups and other communities recommended earlier for ST status through a process of consensus. The Committee clarified that the new category will be considered a Scheduled Tribe for all purposes, except where it might affect the existing rights of the present ST (Plains) and ST (Hills) communities.
The interim report suggests that discussions should continue to find a long-term and conclusive solution. The GoM has said that it will carry forward the dialogue with all stakeholders so that an agreement acceptable to all groups can be reached in the coming months.
