Inclusion of Meitei in ST list necessary for equality among NE communities: L Jatra
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, March 19 2018:
Former Minister Laishram Jatra has claimed that inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the ST list is necessary so as to bring the community on a comparable level with other communities of the North East region in light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Act East Policy.
Speaking to media persons at his residence at Khangabok, as a part of the Coordinating Body on Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee's continuous campaign of seeking feedbacks and opinion of renowned experts/imminent personalities, the former Minister claimed that the Meitei/Meetei community fulfils all the necessary criteria of being included in Scheduled Tribe list as mentioned under Article 342 of the Indian Constitution but the lack of farsightedness on part of the then Government resulted in the current situation of the community.
He mentioned that the vibrant art and culture of the Meitei/Meetei community make it seem like the community is devoid of any shortcoming, but in reality, the Meiteis/Meeteis have been facing numerous hardships.
Construction of bridges and roads, development of various infrastructure etc cannot be the sole criteria to assess the development of a particular community/region, L Jatra said and stressed on the importance of equal development.
If the Meitei/Meetei community is left behind while other communities are getting all the benefits, then one day, the Meitei/Meetei community will become the most backward community, he claimed.
Jatra informed that the ST list has been revised seven times, from 1950 till date, and the list even contains numerous communities which have far more population and are far more developed than the Meitei/Meetei.
Appealing the authorities concerned to view all the communities of the North East region equally, the former Minister urged all those concerned to ensure the inclusion of the Meitei/Meetei community in the ST list and safeguard the future of the community at the earliest.