State to press for tri-partite meeting for granting ST status to six communities: Sonowal

In fact the State Government has endorsed the demand of the six communities and been pressing the Centre for fulfilling their demands.
          
Chairing a meeting at the conference room of Chief Minister’s Office in Janata Bhawan, Sonowal said that  the state government is hell bound to put its demand to the Union Home Ministry for convening a tri-partite meeting involving the Centre, State and the representatives of the six communities.

“I will personally convince the Union Home Ministry for holding a tri-partite meeting and solve the issue once for all,” Sonowal said.
          
Sonowal also informed that the state government is taking initiatives for the preservation of customs, traditions, language, and literature of different ethnic communities in the State.

“State Government is all set to launch a flagship programme for this purpose. Even the financial outlay for the same has already been earmarked in the budget,” Sonowal said.
          
The Assam CM also said that through ‘Discovery of Assam’ State Government has been aiming at preserving the typical idiosyncrasies of every ethnic group. He also sought cooperation from all ethnic communities in this regard.
          
On the other hand Sonowal also held discussion with a delegation of Adivasi National Convention and assured it to discuss it with the Centre for granting ST status to the Adivasis.

He also said that the government would take appropriate steps for insurgent groups currently on ceasefire with the government.
          
Chief Minister’s Media Advisor Hrishikesh Goswami, Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia and a host senior officers were present at the meeting.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)