Q.10 Why are tribals in India referred to as “Scheduled Tribe”? Indicate the major provisions enshrined in Constitution of India for their upliftment. [4+8.5=12.5 marks]

Q.10 Why are tribals in India referred to as “Scheduled Tribe”? Indicate the major provisions enshrined in Constitution of India for their upliftment. [4+8.5=12.5 marks]

The schedule tribes have been historically referred to as aboriginals,natives, native Hill tribes and primitive culture. They refer to the section of population whose Civilization had not advanced in the same manner as others. Their interaction with the outside population is also relatively less. Growth and prosperity is limited and most of practice subsistence farming and are involved in hunting gathering activities.

The Government of India Act 1935 provided for the term Scheduled Tribes to referred to as list (schedule) of tribes denoted in it.

The constitution also incorporated this terminology and the Constitution Scheduled Tribes order,1950 provided for the list of Scheduled Tribes.

The major provisions and send in the constitution for the upliftment are,

• Article 15(4) reservation in educational institution for SC ST weaker section
• Article 16(4) reservation in public employment for SC ST and backward classes
• Article 23 protection from exploitation and abolishment of bonded labour
• Article 29 to 32 protect preserve their unique culture heritage and language
• Article 46 (DPSP) mandates estate to take steps for the economic and educational upliftment of SC/ST
• Article 243 D reservation in local bodies
• Article 244 provides for schedule 5 to govern schedule areas except Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram
• Schedule 5 provision for the administration of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura.
• Article 330 with addition in the house of people
• Article 352 reservation in Legislative assemblies
• Article 334 reservation to cease after 60 years (initially the constitution provided for only 10 years and has been extended since then)
• Article 338 they provide for National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
• Article 359 1 m first President to appoint a condition to report on the administration of Scheduled Areas and status of Scheduled Tribes

Apart from these Constitutional safeguards the Parliament has enacted the Forest Rights Act,2006 and Panchayati Raj Extension to Scheduled Areas Act,1996 to empower and provide local self government to be scheduled tribes.

• References:
• INDIAN POLITY BY LAXMIKANT and
• INTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA BY DD BASU