A New Era for Maharashtra's Tribal Communities: The Arrival of the State Tribal Commission (STC)
Government in Maharashtra grants authorization for a distinct Commission dedicated to Scheduled Tribes.
In a groundbreaking move, the Maharashtra government has decided to establish the State Tribal Commission (STC), modeled after the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) at the central level. This decision was made in a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, with necessary approvals granted for posts, office space, and expenditure.
The tribal development department will soon present a bill in the upcoming monsoon session, aiming for statutory provisions of the STC. This decision comes after more than one and a half years since a delegation of tribal legislators, led by former Maharashtra deputy speaker Narhari Zirwal, met the President of India to discuss issues concerning tribal communities.
With four tribal MPs in the Lok Sabha and 25 tribal legislators in the Maharashtra Assembly, the government's commitment to addressing tribal concerns is evident.
The Need for Independence: SCs vs. STs
The "Maharashtra State Scheduled Castes Commission," which was established in 2005, will continue to function independently. However, the government recognized that the issues and problems facing Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are distinct. Therefore, it was essential to set up independent commissions for both communities.
The commission will consist of a chairman and four non-government members, with the chairman requiring expertise in tribal development. The creation of 26 new posts will support the commission's operations.
The Cabinet has allocated Rs 4.20 crore for the commission's expenses, covering members' salaries, office rent, furniture, utilities, and other necessary expenditures.
Bridging the Gap: Advocacy, Policy, and Grievances
The State Tribal Commission (STC) will act as a liaison between the tribal population and the state government. Its primary roles include advocacy for tribal welfare and rights, ensuring the implementation of policies and schemes designed for tribal benefit, addressing grievances, and issuing directives if necessary.
The establishment of a separate commission for Scheduled Tribes underscores the recognition of their unique cultural, social, and economic circumstances, necessitating tailored approaches distinct from those for the Scheduled Castes [1, 4]. This decision also underscores the state government's commitment to addressing specific issues faced by tribal populations, including land rights, education, health, and economic empowerment.
The creation of a separate commission for Scheduled Tribes aligns with recommendations from various advisory committees, emphasizing the importance of focused governance structures for tribal communities [4]. The STC and the Maharashtra State Scheduled Castes Commission will continue to work independently with an in-principle approval for constitutional status in the coming days.
- The upcoming monsoon session will witness the presentation of a bill aiming for the statutory provisions of the State Tribal Commission (STC), reflecting the Maharashtra government's commitment to policy-and-legislation focused on addressing the unique issues faced by Scheduled Tribes, as part of broader political decisions.
- The State Tribal Commission (STC) will serve as a hub for politics, general-news, and policy-and-legislation concerning the Scheduled Tribes in Maharashtra, liaising with the state government while advocating for welfare and rights, facilitating the implementation of policies, addressing grievances, and issuing directives where necessary.
