(a) whether the Government proposes to make provision for reservation in service for Dalit Christians and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any final view has been taken in this regard and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the special measures taken to extend requisite benefits to the Dalit Christians?
Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) to (c): An individual belonging to Scheduled Tribes may profess any religion and the Castes/ Tribes included in the list of Scheduled Tribes under Article 342 of the Constitution, are entitled for getting the benefits of reservation in services of the Central Government.
The Scheduled Castes converted to Christianity are included in the Central List of Other Backward Classes of some of the States and are entitled to the benefit of the reservation in services of the Central Government. However, the issue of extension of Scheduled Caste status to Scheduled Caste converts to Christianity is presently sub-judice in the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
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