GANGTOK, Aug 6 - Sikkim MP Indra Hang Subba, along with Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, have met Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda to discuss the issue regarding grant of ST status to 11 Gorkha sub-tribes. The MPs informed the Union minister about reports in certain sections of the media with regard to non-inclusion of the 11 Gorkha communities in the Scheduled Tribe list.
Munda assured both the MPs that the 11 left-out Gorkha sub-tribes have their roots, cultural identity and indigeneity in the region. So the Government is committed to fulfilling all the required formalities according to the existing rules and laws.
Reacting to the meeting, MP Bista said �the issue of including the 11 left-out Gorkha sub-tribes in the ST list of India is a commitment made by our party in our Sankalp Patra and the work towards it is going on. I request people not to believe in unfounded rumours in some sections of the media. I am working closely with my Sikkim counterpart on this issue and also with other MPs from the region on issues relating to railways, highways and infrastructure development in the region.�
Sikkim MP Indra Hang Subba said: �Both of us are committed to working for the inclusion of the 11 left-out communities as STs. We had a very fruitful meeting with Union minister Arjun Munda in which we requested him to expedite the process of inclusion.�
The Limboo and Tamang communities of the Gorkha tribe are already under the ST list of the Centre. The rest of the Nepali-speaking Gorkha sub-tribes residing in Sikkim and Darjeeling have been demanding the ST status.
