SC refuses to entertain Banswara MP’s plea seeking municipalities in ST areas

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to consider a plea seeking directions to create municipalities in urban areas falling within Scheduled Tribe (ST) areas, observing that the issue fell within the legislative domain.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana asked MP Rajkumar Roat, who filed the PIL, to approach the concerned ministry.

The top court also suggested that the lawmaker can pursue the matter in the Lok Sabha by moving a private member’s bill. The Banswara MP said in his plea that rapid urbanisation and demographic alterations have changed the characteristics of numerous settlements situated within the scheduled areas.

However, they remain outside the purview of the municipal governance framework, the plea said.

The Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) leader said that continued legislative or administrative vacuum adversely affects the ability of residents of scheduled areas to effectively participate in urban decision-making processes.