Ranchi, Jan. 5: With the inclusion of the Kawars and the Kols in the list of Scheduled Tribes, the total number of tribal groups in Jharkhand has gone up from 30 to 32. The Centre has also expanded the list of the tribes with the inclusion of Agaria (as synonym for Asur), Dhelki Kharia and Dudh Kharia; Hill Kharia for Kharia; Nagesia for Kisan; Mudi Kora for Kora; Kumarbhag Paharia for Mal Paharia and Patar and Dhangar both as synonyms for Munda.

The changes, effected during the winter session of Parliament on the recommendation of the Tribal Research Institute (TRI), would expand the list of beneficiaries mentioned under the Scheduled Tribe category.

Former TRI deputy director Aditya Prasad Sinha said the changes would benefit those tribal groups, which had confusion about their identity.

“Agaria had migrated from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. They have always created a problem before the government, at the time of planning, on the grounds of their identity. The change would enable the government to identify the group as a primitive tribe,” he said.

Tribal affairs expert V.S. Upadhyay said the change would help in the unification of the tribes. “The Kumarbhag Paharias, inhabiting parts of the Santhal Parganas, always found themselves different from the Mal Paharias. Now they would be identified as one,” he said.

Changes in the list of the Scheduled Tribes of Jharkhand had been a long-pending demand of the people.

“People were demanding the change since Independence. With this change, an old demand has been met,” said a TRI official said.

Another tribal affairs expert Lalmani Prasad said the change would help many tribals to avail the facilities, which had eluded them so long.

“The Kols, found in the Singhbhum belt, were neglected for decades. They were not identified as a tribe. Their inclusion will help them develop their condition with government assistance,” he added.