Q. Consider the following statements
1. It is the Governor of the State who recognizes and declares any community of that State as a Scheduled Tribe.
2. A community declared as a Scheduled Tribe in a State need not be so in another State.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither
Correct answer: (b) 2 only
Question from UPSC Prelims 2024 GS Paper
Explanation:
1. The first statement is incorrect. It is not the Governor of the State who recognizes and declares any community as a Scheduled Tribe. The power to specify Scheduled Tribes lies with the President of India, as per Article 342 of the Indian Constitution. The President may, after consultation with the Governor of the state, specify the tribes or tribal communities or parts of or groups within tribes or tribal communities which shall be deemed to be Scheduled Tribes in relation to that state or union territory.
2. The second statement is correct. A community declared as a Scheduled Tribe in one state need not be recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in another state. The list of Scheduled Tribes is state-specific, meaning that a tribe recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in one state may not necessarily be recognized as such in another state. This is because the socio-economic conditions and the criteria for recognition can vary from state to state.