15th December, 2022: The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022 to include the Narikoravan and Kurivikkaran hill tribes of Tamil Nadu in the Scheduled Tribes list of the state.

Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda said that this decision will benefit up to 27000 people.

“On the basis of the recommendation of the State of Tamil Nadu and after consultation with the Registrar General of India and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, it is proposed to amend Part XIV of the Schedule to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950,” reads the statement of objects and reasons of the Bill.

An amendment to change the spellings of the names of these tribes were also put forth. But during voice vote, this amendment was defeated.

These communities are primarily hunter gatherers. Their income also depends on collecting tendu leaves. At several point during discussions about the bill, several members highlighted that just giving them ST status is not enough to help them. They said that the government will have to frame relevant policies for the same.

The winter session of the parliament is going on. It began on 7th December and will continue till 29th December 2022.