New Delhi, May 8. (PTI): The Centre has received proposals for the inclusion of Nepali-speaking Khombu, Rayee and Gurang communities in the list of scheduled tribes, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Monday.
In a reply, Minister of Tribal Affairs P R Kyndiah said the proposals have been forwarded by the State Government of Sikkim and West Bengal respectively.
However, the Centre has not received any proposal for the inclusion of Rayee and Gurund castes in the ST list, the Minister said.
In another reply, the Minister said the Government has designated Gram Sabha as an authority to identify the forest settlers and initiate the process of determining the nature and extent of individual or community rights on forests.
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, enacted during the last winter session of Parliament, seeks to recognise and vest certain rights over the forest land for those residing in such areas for generations, the Minister said.
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