New Delhi, July 26: In a significant move, the Central Government presented two bills in Lok Sabha addressing the rights of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite opposition sloganeering over the Manipur issue, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar introduced the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order Bill 2023. At the same time, Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda introduced the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill 2023.

The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order Bill 2023 aims to add the Valmiki community to the list of Scheduled Castes of Jammu and Kashmir, using synonyms such as Chura, Bhangi, Balmiki, and Mehtar.

On the other hand, the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill 2023 seeks to revise the existing list of Scheduled Tribes of Jammu and Kashmir. This move is expected to have significant implications for the rights and welfare of these communities in the region.