ST status: Dispur to press for tri-partite meeting

OUR BUREAU

GUWAHATI, March 9: Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal said that the State Government is committed to ensuring the grant of ST status to six communities. In fact the State Government has endorsed the demand of the six communities and been pressing the Centre for fulfilling their demands.  Chairing a meeting at the conference room of Chief Minister’s Office at Jata Bhawan this evening, Chief Minsiter Sonowal said that  the State Government is hell bound to put its demand to the Union Home Ministry for convening a tri-partite meeting involving the Centre, State and the representatives of the six communities.

He said, “I will persolly convince the Union Home Ministry for holding a tri-partite meeting and solve the issue once for all”.  Sonowal also informed that the State Government is taking initiatives for the preservation of customs, traditions, language, and literature of different ethnic communities in the State. . State Government is all set to launch a flagship programme for this purpose. Even the fincial outlay for the same has already been earmarked in the budget.

He further said that through ‘Discovery of Assam’ State government has been aiming at preserving the typical idiosyncrasies of every ethnic group. He also sought cooperation from all ethnic communities in this regard.

On the other hand Sonowal also held discussion with a delegation of Adivasi tiol Convention and assured it to discuss it with the Centre for granting ST status to the Adivasis. He also said that the Government would take appropriate steps for insurgent groups currently on ceasefire with the Government.

Chief Minister’s Media Advisor Hrishikesh Goswami, Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia and host senior officers were present at the meeting.