The Centre is in the process of bringing out a national tribal policy with special provisions for small tribal groups.Addressing a high-level meeting here today, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs and Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) P R Kyndiah said preserving the socio-cultural identity of small tribal groups which have a population of 50,000 to 100,000 was one of the prime concerns of the Centre. He added a national policy with special reference to such groups was being prepared.Kyndiah, on his first visit to the state after assuming office, was speaking in the context of allocation of primitive tribe status to Lepcha community of Sikkim - a demand which the state government has been raising for long.The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling, his cabinet colleagues, Assembly Speaker D N Takarpa, legislators and senior government officials.The minister said the Centre was considering giving Limboos and Tamangs of Sikkim their political rights, including reservation in jobs.
