Kalimpong, Aug. 4: Limbu and Tamang communities received certificates for the first time since their inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list in a programme held today.

The programme, organised by the All India Tamang Buddhist Association and the Yakthung Shong Choompho, was held at the Kalimpong Ramkrishna Rangamanch.

President of the Yakthung Shong Chompoo, B.K. Subba, said: “This is the first time we are distributing certificates after the inclusion of both the Tamang and Limbu communities in the list.”

Both the communities had been pressing for certification after their inclusion in the list.

“We have struggled to achieve this over a long time and now that our demand is fulfilled, we should be able to utilise the benefits that come from our new status. There are other indigenous hill communities like the Magars and Gurungs who also want a similar status,” Subba added.

Echoing his words, the additional district welfare officer of DGHC Backward Classes Welfare Department, B.S. Bagdas, said: “There are a lot of other communities in the hills that are demanding recognition as Scheduled Tribes or Scheduled Castes. We should, however, remain united because as more communities get included in the list it will be very good for the overall development of the area. The scheduled tribes will be eligible to receive government funds under the sixth schedule of the constitution, therefore, the more the number of communities in the list, the greater will be the scope for development.”

“We are happy for the Limbus and the Tamangs because of their inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe list. The people should utilize these certificates for development of the country and not just for the community,” said K.C. Mandal, the Kalimpong subdivisional officer who was present on the occasion.

Around 150 people from the Tamang and Limbu communities received the certificates today. Both organisations also felicitated the people who had helped them in the struggle to get their communities included in the list.