‘Bangladeshi infiltration’ is changing demography of a Jharkhand region: ST panel

Sub :Polity

SEC: National body

Context:

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) submitted a report to the Union Home Ministry, highlighting concerns about “Bangladeshi infiltration” in Jharkhand’s Santhal Pargana region.

Details of the report:

The report claims that the region’s demographics have changed significantly due to this infiltration.
Particularly, regions of BarhaitSanthali North and South, which are predominantly Adivasi villages showed a decline in Adivasi population over the last two decades.
The report is based on anecdotal evidence collected from conversations with local residents, including neighbours, panchayat members, and villagers.

About Santhals:

The Santal or Santhal, are a Munda ethnic group native to India.
Santals are the largest tribe in the Jharkhand and are also found in the states of Assam, Tripura, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and West Bengal.
The Santals speak Santali, the most widely spoken of the Munda languages.
In 1855, they revolted in the Santal rebellion, better known as the Santhal Hul.

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST):

The NCST is a constitutional body established in 2004 by amending Article 338 and introducing Article 338A in the Constitution through the 89th Amendment Act, 2003.
This amendment replaced the previous National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes with two distinct commissions: National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).
It has been established with a view to provide safeguards against the exploitation of the Scheduled Tribes as well as to protect their social, economic, educational, and cultural interests.

Composition of NCST:

It consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and three other members. At least one member should be a woman.
They are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
Their conditions of service and tenure of office are determined by the President.
The Chairperson has been given the rank of Union Cabinet Minister, the Vice Chairperson has the rank of a Minister of State and other Members have the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.

Tenure:

The Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson, and other Members of the Commission hold office for a term of three years from the date on which he/she assumes such office.
They are not be eligible for appointment for more than two terms.