The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2013 Passed By Rajya Sabha

The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2013 was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 6 September 2013. The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 14 December 2012 by the Minister of Tribal Affairs, V. Kishore Chandra Deo. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 24 August 2013.

Objective of the Bill

The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes in the states of Kerala and Chhattisgarh.

Major highlights of the Bill

• Article 342 of the Constitution of India states that the President may notify the Scheduled Tribes in a state after consultation with the Governor of the state.  The President issued the 1950 Order, in accordance with this Article.
• According to the Article 342 of the Constitution of India, Scheduled Tribes means such tribes or tribal communities or parts of or groups within such tribes or tribal communities as are deemed under Article 342 to be Scheduled Tribes for the purposes of India Constitution.
• The Bill amended the Schedule of the 1950 Order to include certain groups as Scheduled Tribes.  The Marati community is being re-included in the list of Scheduled Tribes in Kerala.  
• Scheduled Tribe status is being granted to the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups namely Abujh Maria and Hill Korwa in the list of Scheduled Tribes in Chhattisgarh.