Bishnu demands ST Status for Chotanagpuri community of A & N Islands

Mridul Podder
Port Blair, Feb 08: The lone Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray today once again demanded Schedule Tribe Status for Chotanagpuri (Ranchi) Community living in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony of MPLAD works at Port Blair, the MP said since a long time the Chotanagpuri Communities viz Oran, Munda, Khariya, Santhali, Bendia, God Lohra, Chick Baraik, Mahli, Nagesia-Nagasia, Majhi, Nagwansi, Dhanwar, Bhoga, Ghasi, Turi & Domra, who were brought in A & N Islands in early and mid 1900 for forestry and other works are demanding for Scheduled Tribe status.

Members of Standing Committee on the Member of Parliament, Local Area Development on MPLAD Scheme were also present during the programme.

“As far as the reservation policy, of A & N Administration is concerned, it is confined to the six indigenous tribes only and reservation benefits are not extended to the migrant SCs and STs of other states and UTs. Therefore the demand for scheduling of Chotanagpuri Community has not been considered so far. There is a proposal to grant them 4 percent Special Status, which is of no use for the Chotanagpuri Community,” Ray to ‘Andaman Sheekha’ after the stone laying ceremony.

Ray alleged that before asking for grant of Special Status the Administration did not consult public leaders of A & N Islands, including the local MP.

“Special Status will not do any good for Chotanagpuri Community as they will be never find a place in Central List of Schedule Tribes. Hence grant of ST Status is the only solution for them,” Ray added.

During the meeting Members of Standing Committee on the Member of Parliament, Local Area Development on MPLAD Scheme, including the Chairman of the committee Mr. AKS Vijayan and Mr. Babu Lal Marandi, a member, supported the MP on this issue and assured to support this cause in Parliament too.

“The Administration has informed the Government of India that the people of Chotanagpuri Community had migrated to Andamans hence ST Status can’t be given, which is not true. These people were actually brought and settled by Government to clear the forest. When they get such ST Status in West Bengal, why can’t they get the same in Andamans,” the MP added.