Cabinet approves declaration of Scheduled Areas in respect of Rajasthan under Fifth Schedule

What: Rajasthan under Fifth Schedule

When: April 25, 2018

Who: Union Cabinet

• The Central Government on April 2018 gave approval to the declaration of Scheduled Areas in respect of Rajasthan under Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of India by rescinding the Constitution Order (C.O.)114 dated 12^th February 1981 and promulgation of a new Constitution Order.
• The Rajasthan Government has requested for extension of Scheduled Areas in the State of Rajasthan under Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of India.

Beneficiaries

• The Scheduled Tribes residing in Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh, and partial areas of Udaipur, Rajsamand, Chittorgarh, Pali and Sirohi districts of Rajasthan will get benefits of protective measures available under the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of India.
• The areas comprising of 3 complete districts namely,Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh; 9 complete tehsils, 1 complete block and 46 complete gram panchayats covering 227 villages in district Udaipur, Rajsamand, Chittorgarh, Pali and Sirohi of Rajasthan, would be included in the Scheduled Areas in the State of Rajasthan.
• No additional funds are required as to be expended on account of declaration of Scheduled Areas. This will be part of Tribal Sub-Plan (now renamed as Tribal Sub-Scheme) within existing schemes of Central and the State Government for more focused attention in Scheduled Areas for effecting speedy development.

Benefits

• The major ST communities which will benefit from this addition include ‘Bhil’, ‘Bhil Garasia’, ‘Garasia (excluding Rajput Garasia)’, ‘Mina’ etc.
• The promulgation of new Constitution Order will ensure that the Scheduled Tribes of Rajasthan will get benefits of protective measures available under the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of India.
• The Scheduled Tribe population covered under the Scheduled Area will thus increase from 4188056 to 4551917, while the total population covered under the Scheduled Areas will become 6463353. Also, the total land area under the Scheduled Areas will increase from 19818.86 sq. km. to 23354.96 sq. km. With this an additional ST population of 3.6 lakhs will be covered under scheduled areas.
• This increase will result in several benefits to the people residing in those areas.
• For direct recruitment in Government Jobs (other than State Services) in the Scheduled Areas of Rajasthan, 45% of seats will be reserved for local ST population. Seats will also be reserved for several vocational graduation/ post-graduation and diploma courses.
• The area will also be covered by separate service rules/cadre for all Government Services, other than State Service. Posts in the government services will thus remain less vacant in the area, which in turn will help in effective implementation of various schemes and services in the area.
• The Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) will also become applicable in the area, along with the concomitant powers and benefits. Moreover, the proposed additional area will now receive more funds for infrastructure and socio-economic development.

What is Scheduled Areas?

• As per paragraph 6(1) of the Fifth Schedule {Article 244(1)} to the Constitution of India, the expression ‘Scheduled Areas’ means ‘such areas as the President may by order declare to be Scheduled Areas’.
• In accordance with the provisions of paragraph 6(2) of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution, the President may at any time by order increase the area of any Scheduled Area in a State after consultation with the Governor of that State; rescind, in relation to any State or States, any order or orders made under this paragraph, and in consultation with the Governor of the State concerned, make fresh orders redefining the areas which are to be Scheduled Areas.
• The Scheduled Areas were first notified in the year 1950. Subsequently, Constitution Orders specifying the Scheduled Areas were issued for State of Rajasthan in1981. Due to re­organization/creation of new districts and changes in population of Scheduled Tribes as per 2011 Census, the Government of Rajasthan has requested for extension of Scheduled Areas in the State of Rajasthan.