Tribal Affairs Ministry Responds to MP Manna Lal Rawat’s Concerns on Scheduled Tribe Rights
Udaipur: The Tribal Affairs Ministry has officially clarified that if an individual’s caste or category is incorrectly recorded in land records, they can submit an application for correction or amendment to the concerned Tehsildar. Additionally, if such cases arise, a detailed investigation may also be conducted to verify the claims.
This response came after MP Dr. Manna Lal Rawat raised concerns with Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram regarding the misinterpretation of the ‘Rawat’ surname, which has led to the denial of constitutional rights to Scheduled Tribes (STs) in certain regions of Rajasthan.
Misclassification of Bhil Community in Land Records
In his letter to the Union Tribal Affairs Minister, MP Manna Lal Rawat highlighted an alarming issue affecting the Bhil community in Rajasthan.
🔹 Key Concerns Raised by MP Rawat:
- In Udaipur and Chittorgarh districts, specifically in Vallabhnagar, Kanod, Bhinder, Doongra, and Badi Sadri, the Rawat surname is being wrongly interpreted as a caste indicator, leading to the misclassification of Bhil ST members under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
- This misclassification is causing constitutional rights violations, affecting their access to land ownership, employment, education, and political reservations.
- Revenue and administrative authorities have been found permitting the sale of agricultural land belonging to Bhil ST members to non-ST individuals, which is a violation of legal safeguards for Scheduled Tribes.
Tribal Affairs Ministry’s Response: Legal Provisions for Rectification
The Tribal Affairs Ministry, in its response to MP Rawat, stated that the matter was referred to the Rajasthan government, seeking clarification on the classification of Scheduled Tribes in the state.
📌 Rajasthan Government’s Stand:
✔️ ST reservations in education, government jobs, and constitutional positions are granted only based on valid Scheduled Tribe caste certificates.
✔️ Caste certificates in Rajasthan are issued as per the Schedule under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Amendment) Act, 1976.
📌 Land Record Corrections Under Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 1956
✔️ Section 136 of the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 1956 allows for corrections in clerical errors and misclassifications in land records.
✔️ Revenue officers have the authority to rectify errors found during inspections, provided that concerned parties are issued a notice before any amendments are made.
📌 What Can Affected Individuals Do?
✅ Individuals whose caste or category has been incorrectly recorded in land records can submit an application for rectification to the concerned Tehsildar.
✅ If a specific complaint is received, authorities will conduct a detailed investigation into the matter.
Ensuring Justice for Scheduled Tribes in Rajasthan
The clarification from the Tribal Affairs Ministry serves as a major relief for Scheduled Tribe members who have been wrongly classified in official records. MP Manna Lal Rawat’s intervention has brought much-needed attention to the issue, ensuring that affected individuals can seek legal remedies to protect their constitutional rights.
Authorities have urged all impacted individuals to take prompt action by applying for correction in land records and reporting any further misclassifications to the relevant administrative bodies.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
