10/02/2025
SSHLC HOLDS SECOND MEETING ON INCLUSION OF 12 LEFT OUT COMMUNITIES IN ST LIST
The second meeting of the Sikkim State High-Level Committee (SSHLC) for the inclusion of 12 Left Out Communities in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list was held at Old Sikkim House, New Delhi, under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister of Sikkim.
The meeting was attended by Members of Parliament from both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, the Deputy Speaker, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Advisors from the 12 Left Out Communities, and representatives of these communities.
During the meeting, SSHLC members presented the First Draft Report for discussion. The draft highlights how the communities meet the five criteria of primitive traits, distinctive culture, shyness, geographical isolation, and backwardness, justifying their inclusion in the ST list.
As per a press release by the Social Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim, the Chief Minister appreciated the “dedicated efforts of SSHLC members in preparing the first draft within a short timeframe” and commended the scientific and technical approach taken. He emphasized that the final report must be comprehensive and well-researched, addressing concerns raised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Office of the Registrar General of India. He urged members to ensure that responses to these queries are “convincing, conclusive, and well-substantiated” to strengthen the case for recognition.
The press release further stated that the final report will be developed after further research and inclusion of additional reference documents.
The SSHLC was constituted by the State Government on November 4, 2024, through Notification No: 59/SWD/ADM/2024, with the task of preparing a comprehensive and scientific report. The first meeting was held in Gangtok on December 15, 2024, and a timeline of three months was set from that date for the submission of the final report.
The meeting began with a welcome address by the Secretary of SSHLC & Social Welfare Department and concluded with a Vote of Thanks by the Joint Secretary of the Social Welfare Department.
