2nd SSHLC Meeting from Social Welfare Department

New Delhi, Feb 10: The second meeting of the Sikkim State High-Level Committee (SSHLC), chaired by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, was held at Old Sikkim House, New Delhi, on 10th February 2025. The meeting was attended by all members of the SSHLC, Members of Parliament from both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, the Deputy Speaker, Cabinet Ministers of the Government of Sikkim, MLAs, and Advisors belonging to the 12 Left Out Communities. Representatives of the 12 Left Out Communities were also present.

During the meeting, the Members of the SSHLC presented the First Draft Report on the 12 Left Out Communities for discussion and deliberation. The draft report highlights how the communities fulfil the five criteria of Primitive traits, distinctive culture, shyness, geographical isolation and backwardness thus justifying their case for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. The Hon’ble Members emphasized that this is a preliminary draft, prepared based on information collected through structured templates submitted by community members. They also informed that further research and reference documents are being compiled for incorporation into the final report.

The final report will be developed after careful consideration of all necessary aspects to strengthen the case for recognition and inclusion of these communities in the ST list.

During the deliberations, the Chief Minister expressed his appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the SSHLC members in preparing the first draft report within a short timeframe. He commended the scientific and technical approach undertaken and advised that the final report must be comprehensive, well-researched, and inclusive of all necessary aspects.

The Chief Minister also urged the distinguished members of the SSHLC and the representatives of the ethnic communities to address queries and concerns raised by various Committees of the Government of India. He specifically highlighted the critical issues of data and information gaps pointed out by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Office of the Registrar General of India. He called upon the members to provide responses that are convincing, conclusive, and well-substantiated, ensuring that the Government of India is equipped with all necessary evidence to take a final decision on incorporating the 12 Sikkimese ethnic communities into the ST list under the Constitution of India. In her welcome address, Smt. Sarika Pradhan, Secretary, Member Secretary, SSHLC and Social Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim, welcomed all dignitaries and outlined the objectives of the meeting. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Shri Prem Kamal Rai, Joint Secretary, Social Welfare Department.

It is noted that the SSHLC was constituted by the State Government on 4th November 2024, vide Notification No: 59/SWD/ADM/2024, to prepare a comprehensive and scientific report on the inclusion of the 12 Left Out Communities of Sikkim in the ST list.

The first meeting of the SSHLC was held in Gangtok on 15th December 2024. Subsequently, a corrigendum (Memo No. 189-192/SWD/ADM dated 23/12/2024) was issued, setting a timeline of three months from the date of the first meeting for the submission of the final report to the State Government.