Shimla, September 14
The Union Cabinet has decided to announce tribal status to Hatee community of Sirmaur district in Himachal Pradesh, disclosed a BJP spokesperson here today. Prime minister Narindra Modi led Union cabinet took the decision in wake of upcoming Assembly Election in Himachal Pradesh.
“The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill 2022” in the Parliament for certain amendment in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes Order, 1950 so as to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes (STs) of Himachal Pradesh,” read the order by the Union.
The following changes will be made in the list of Scheduled Tribes of Himachal Pradesh:
*“inclusion of communities, namely, ‘Hattee’ community of Trans-Giri area of Sirmour District of Himachal Pradesh, excluding those communities which are already notified as Scheduled Castes for the State of Himachal Pradesh”.
The Hatee community of Transgiri area of Sirmour district are seeking tribal status for last two decades and BJP had made the promises in 2014 Lok Sabha election in its party manifesto. Though the decision was taken by the RGI to award the tribal status to Hatee community but earlier, it had been denied that Hati is not a tribal community.
Report was sent by Union Home affairs to RGI again which has now decided to include Hatee as new tribal community. The matter was also pending in Himachal Pradesh High court on the petition filed by a Dalit NGO. The government of Himachal Pradesh and Virbhadra Singh also raised the issue, however it kept on lingering for decades.
Hatee community reside in Transgiri area of Sirmour district. Hatti Community which is known as ‘Khash’ live in about 54 gram panchayats of assembly constituency Shilai, Pacchad and Poanta Sahib in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh.
After the bill becomes an Act, member of the communities newly listed in the revised list of Scheduled Tribes of Himachal Pradesh will also be able to derive benefits meant for STs under the existing schemes of the Government. Some of the major schemes of this kind include Post Matric Scholarship, National Overseas Scholarship, National Fellowship, Top Class Education, Concessional Loans from National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation, Hostels for ST boys and girls etc.
In addition, they will also be entitled to benefits of reservation in services and admission to educational institutions as per Government policy.
