The Lok Sabha today passed a bill to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes in Karnataka. The Bill seeks to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, by including the Medara community in the list of Scheduled Tribes in the state.

More than 42 members participated in the debate on the Bill. They demanded the inclusion of several castes of their states in the scheduled tribes list. Replying to the debate, Tribal Affairs Minister V Kishore Chandra Deo said that due to the country's federal structure it is not possible for the Centre to suo motto include or delete any caste in the scheduled tribes list.

On the demand for a comprehensive bill in this regard, he said the suggestion does not seem to be practical. The Minister informed the House that his ministry is now finalising the National Tribal Policy.