• UGI USER
  • Jan 03, 2024
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INCLUSION OF HATTEE COMMUNITY IN SCHEDULED TRIBES LIST

Why in the News?

  • Following President Droupadi Murmu’s notification, Himachal Pradesh’s State government issues directions for the inclusion of the Hattee community in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list.

The Issue:

  • The term ‘Hattee’ was previously associated with Scheduled Castes, leading to uncertainty about their inclusion in the ST list and classification of Hattees from the Trans-Giri area of Sirmour district.
Source: Indian Express

About Hattee Community 

  • Background: Originating from the tradition of selling produce at local markets called ‘haat,’ the Hattees are a closely-knit community.
  • Geographical Presence: The Hattee homeland extends across the Himachal-Uttarakhand border, situated in the Giri and Tons river basin, both Yamuna tributaries.
  • Historical and Administrative Overview: Once part of the royal estate of Sirmaur, the Hattees in the trans-Giri area (Himachal Pradesh) and Jaunsar Bawar (Uttarakhand) separated in 1814.
  • Social Structure and Governance:
  • Governed by the ‘khumbli,’ a traditional council, the Hattees’ social structure resembles the ‘khaps’ in Haryana.
  • Inter-caste marriages are traditionally discouraged.
  • Demographics: As per the 2011 Census, the tribal population in Himachal Pradesh, including the Hattee community, constitutes 5.7% of the total state population (3,92,126 individuals).