However, Bill does not address the issue of removal of the castes from the Scheduled Caste list
Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishan Pal Gurjar on Saturday introduced the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021, to group seven Scheduled Caste communities in certain districts of Tamil Nadu under ‘Devendrakula Velalars’.
This was one of the long-pending demands of sections of these communities. The tabling of the Bill ahead of the Assembly election is deemed significant.
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However, the Bill does not address the other demand of some community leaders — removal of their castes from the Scheduled Caste list. Puthiya Tamilagam president K. Krishnasamy had insisted that the seven communities be removed from the Scheduled Caste list.
On the last day of the first part of the Budget session, Mr. Gurjar introduced the Bill to make the grouping possible.
As per the…