Sikkim finalises ST status reports for 12 left-out communities

Sikkim chief minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) on Saturday chaired the final review meeting of ethnographic reports concerning 12 left-out communities of the state at Samman Bhawan, marking a significant step toward their inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list under the Constitution of India.

The reports—meticulously prepared by the state high-level committee after months of extensive research and consultations—document, for the first time, the distinct history, culture, and identity of these communities: Bhujel, Gurung, Jogi, Khas, Kirat Rai, Kirat Dewan Yakha, Majhi, Mangar, Newar, Sanyasi, Sunuwar (Mukhia), and Thami.

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“I am proud that these reports meet all criteria for ST inclusion and effectively address the queries raised by central agencies in the past,” CM Tamang said. “We are now ready to submit them to the Government of India and formally initiate the process for ST recognition.”

Calling the reports “living testaments to our collective heritage and a celebration of our unity in diversity,” the chief minister expressed confidence that this initiative would bring the state closer to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.