Panel: More communities on ST list only after scrutiny

Singh also suggested to the government that ‘‘each claim should be scientifically scrutinised’’. The main recommendations in favour of communities wanting to be included in reserved category is sent by the state governments and later it is authenticated by the Registrar General of India.‘‘This procedure must be scrupulously followed by the government before sending us the list to seek our opinion,’’ Singh said.

However, the Commission is yet to hear from the government on this. Sources said both the Commission as well as the Ministry of Tribal affairs were receiving large number of petitions from communities who want to be declared as STs.

Most of the petitions are supported by political leaders. Singh said a one-time inclusion of bulk of communities in 2002 was enough.

However, he claimed Parliament was empowered to include more communities in the reserved category list but the government needs to carefully examine each claim to protect the rights of the tribals.