A Group of Ministers (GoM) in Assam has put forward a major policy proposal recommending a three-tier classification of Scheduled Tribes in the state—ST (Plains), ST (Hills), and a newly created ST (Valley)—to address long-standing demands for tribal status from several communities. The interim report was presented in the Assembly on Saturday, November 29, by Tribal Affairs (Plains) Minister Ranoj Pegu, who chaired the three-member panel.
Under the proposal, the existing tribal groups living in the plains and the hills will continue to be listed under the ST (Plains) and ST (Hills) categories. The newly introduced ST (Valley) segment will include six major communities—Ahoms, Chutias, Morans, Mataks, Koch-Rajbongshis and Tea Tribes (Adivasis)—all of whom have been seeking Scheduled Tribe recognition for years.
The report noted that a three-tier framework would reorganise the distribution of reservation benefits across Parliament, the State Assembly and local bodies, while ensuring that the entitlements of the present ST groups remain untouched. It added that the new structure would require a special Act of Parliament for implementation. “The Government of Assam will request the Government of India to provide statutory recognition of the three-tier classification of Scheduled Tribes in Assam,” the report stated.
The proposal remains in line with the Assam Legislative Assembly’s earlier resolution, which sought to grant ST status to the six communities without affecting the rights of the existing tribal groups. It clarified that the ST (Valley) classification would apply universally, except in areas where protections for current ST communities are already in place.
To safeguard political representation, the GoM has recommended a constitutional amendment ensuring that Lok Sabha constituencies within the Sixth Schedule areas remain permanently reserved for existing STs, irrespective of future delimitation. With a large number of people expected to enter the ST fold, additional parliamentary seats would also be earmarked for the ST (Valley) category.
The panel further proposed separate reservation quotas and distinct rosters for government jobs and educational admissions for the ST (Valley) category, while maintaining the current quotas for ST (Plains) and ST (Hills). The recommendations are expected to have a significant impact on future tribal representation, affirmative action policies and socio-political dynamics in Assam.
