Introduction and Salient Features:

- Recently, the Indian Parliament sanctioned two important contributions to legislation aimed at amending the lists of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

- The intention of these bills is to include specific tribes as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), and certain communities from the SC list to the ST list, following local government recommendations.

- The inclusion was decided after consultation with the Registrar General of India and the National Commissions for Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes.

- Such decision-making was facilitated using the Voice Vote method.

Understanding the Bills and Proposed Changes:

- "The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024": It seeks to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 as applicable to Andhra Pradesh. The result is the inclusion of Bondo Porja, Khond Porja, and Konda Savaras under the ST category.

- "The Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2024": It aims to amend both the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, as applicable to Odisha. A number of PVTGs have been included in the ST list and some communities have been moved from SC to the ST list.

The Significance of the Amendments:

- The modified lists address discrepancies in the classification and treatment of certain tribes across different regions.

- Tribes that were recognized as ST in Andhra Pradesh but faced discrimination in Odisha will be now rectified, ensuring equitable access to government facilities and services.

- Inclusion in the ST list allows for reservation quotas in education, employment, and politics.

Understanding the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG):

- It is a sub-category within the Scheduled Tribes which is deemed more vulnerable than standard Scheduled Tribes.

- In India, there are 75 PVTGs with the maximum, 13, being in Odisha and followed by 12 in Andhra Pradesh.

- The initiatives supporting PVTG include PM-Janman, Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, and PM PVTG Mission, all aimed to improve their living standards.

Constitutional Provisions:

- As per Article 342(1), the President, after consultation with the Governor of the state, may classify tribes or tribal communities or divisions within tribes/tribal communities as Scheduled Tribes in that particular state or UT.

- The Parliament holds the right to include or exclude from the list of STs through law-making decisions. However, a notification issued under this article cannot be changed by any subsequent notifications.