http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=508114
MINISTER Inclusion in ST category a constitutional matter: Minister JAIPUR, OCT 1 (PTI) Ahead of Gurjars' stir in Rajasthan tomorrow in support of their demand for a Scheduled Tribe tag, Union Minister P R Kyndiah today said inclusion of any caste or community in SC or ST category for reservation benefit was a constitutional matter. States should know proper rules and procedures before recommending any caste or community to the Centre for quota benefit, Kyndiah, Minister for Tribal Affairs, said. "Any inclusion in the SC or ST category for reservation needs to go through the SC/ST Commission and the concerned Ministry," he said. Thereafter, an amendment in the Constitution was required, Kyndiah told the 14th National Conference of the All India Tribal Development Council here. He said the UPA government at the Centre had approved a bill on tribal land and forest rights and it would be notified shortly. A draft of the National Tribal Policy had also been placed before the Union Cabinet for consideration, he said.
