GoM report on ST status for six Assam communities gets cabinet nod

Guwahati: The Assam government has cleared a major policy milestone by approving the Group of Ministers (GoM) report that recommends Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for six prominent communities of the state.

The approval comes at a time when these communities have intensified their agitation seeking long-pending constitutional recognition. Once the Centre grants its nod, Assam will officially qualify as a tribal-majority state.

Assam Cabinet Endorses GoM Report on ST Status

The Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Lok Sewa Bhawan on Wednesday evening, endorsed several important decisions, including the GoM recommendations on ST status for the Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Motok, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes (Adivasis).

Education Minister Ranoj Pegu headed the GoM, with Ministers Pijush Hazarika and Keshab Mahanta serving as members. Following the Cabinet’s approval, the government will now table the report in the Assam Legislative Assembly before forwarding it to the Ministry of Home Affairs for final consideration.

Chief Minister Sarma said the report reflects the collective aspirations of the people and confirmed that the Tribal Affairs Department would submit the document to the Assembly during the ongoing session. The Speaker will decide the date for placing it before the House.

Land Approved for State-of-the-Art Textile Heritage Museum

In another key decision, the Cabinet approved the modification and transfer of three bighas of land belonging to the Government Muga Farm at Reshom Nagar, Khanapara (under the Handloom, Textiles & Sericulture Department), to the Cultural Affairs Department.

The government plans to build a world-class textile heritage museum on the land with support from JSW I&P Holdings Pvt. Ltd. The museum will showcase Assam’s rich textile legacy and will house the famed Vrindavani Vastra, which the British Museum in London has agreed to send on loan.