Home

Schedule Castes / Schedule Tribes /
Most Backward Classes / Other Backward Classes

        Since 1951 the Government of India Census has been ascertaining the SC/ST status of the population. The objective of doing so is to discharge the constitutional obligation towards these socially, educationally and economically backward communities. For this purpose the statutory lists of SC/ST are notified in pursuance of Articles 341 and 342 of the Constitution. The extract of the same is given below:

        The Constitution (Sikkim) Scheduled Castes order 1978, C.O-110

The Constitution (Sikkim) Scheduled Tribes Order 1978

      In partial modification of Notification No. 2/WD dated 2^nd June, 1994 published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 60 dated 2^nd June, 1994 and Notification No. 236 / SW / 251 (3) WD dated 15^th June 2000 published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 94 dated 11^th April, 2001 the Sate Government hereby recognize and declare the following Communities as Most Backward Classes and Other Backward Classes for the State Sikkim namely:-

        This Notification  No. 5A / SWD / WD dated 17.09.2003 shall come into force at once.

 SCHEDULED CASTES

         The four main Scheduled Castes in the State are Kami, Damai, Sarki and Majhi who practice traditional occupation viz. Blacksmithy, Tailoring, Tanning, And Fishing respectively. They are not confined to any particular district and are scattered all over the state as they are occupational group like craftsmen engaged in manufacturing agricultural tools,  gold, silver jewelllery, metal work in copper, aluminum utensils, (Kami / Lohar, Bishwakarma) tailoring (Damai / Darjee), leather work  (Sarki) and fishing (Majhi). The district wise distribution of SC population is 3.55 % in the North District, 5.64% in South District, 7% in East District and 5% in West District. They are predominantly agriculturist and also depend on animal husbandry  to support thier family. According to 1980-agricultural cencus, only 1.62% of the total operated area is owned by SCs. Hence they get a low return from the agriculture.  

SCHEDULED TRIBES

      The Scheduled Tribes of Sikkim constitute mainly Lepchas, Bhutias, Limboo and Tamang. The district wise distribution of Bhutia and Lepcha population is 19.03% in North District, 41.40% in East Disrict, 21.23% in West District and 18.34% in South District. Except in North District, where tribals live in compact areas, tribal in Sikkim are widely dispersed in habitation. They are mingled with the general population in varying degree of concentration in various villages and hamlets. Taking the family size as 5, it is estimated that there are about 18000 tribal families in the state. Majority of the tribals depend on agriculture and animal husbandry for their livelihood. The population of Limboo and Tamang recently notified as Scheduled Tribe is slightly higher than the Bhutia-Lepcha population.  

Tribal Sub Plan

        Welfare Division of the department of Social Welfare has been entrusted with the task of welfare of the Scheduled Tribes in the State. The special central assistance for Scheduled Tribes is channeled through this Department, which co-ordinates in formulating, implementing and monitoring the schemes. In addition to this it also evaluates the impact of the schemes on the economic condition of the Scheduled Tribes. The Department also implements welfare schemes entirely funded from its own state plan resources. The aim of the department is to bring about an all round economic development of the Scheduled Tribe families in general and those below the poverty line in particular.

Grants Under Proviso 1 of Article 275 (1) of the Constitution of India

In the changed scenario of globalization and liberalization of the national economy, it becomes all the more critical that the comparative vulnerability of the ST population is addressed in a more focused integrate manner. In view of the human development indices of the tribal population being lower than the rest of the population and the infrastructure in the tribal areas not being at par with others, it is necessary to dovetail and direct resources in a synergetic manner to bridge the gap in infrastructure in critical areas so that capacity of the economy in tribal areas to meaningfully and effectively absorb funds is substantially enhanced.

     Grants under Article 275(1) will be an additionally to Normal Central Assistance (NCA} to State Plan to meet the cost of such schemes/projects as may be undertaken by the States and approved by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for the purpose of the welfare and development of the Scheduled Tribes or rising the level of administration of the Scheduled Areas.

The grants will essentially be used for creation and up-gradation of critical infrastructure required to the tribal areas at par with the rest of the country. The infrastructure will be up-graded so as to enhance capacity of the economy in tribal areas to meaningfully and more effectively absorb funds, including institutional finance and thereby create opportunities conducive income and employment generation. Due emphasis will be given to infrastructure in the sectors critical to enhancement of human development indices such as in health, education, income generation, etc.

Home | Welfare Division | Women and Child Development Division|
Social Welfare Division | Important Notification | Useful Forms