The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given a nod to approve the introduction of Constitution (SC) Order Amendment Bill, 2015 in the Parliament. The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order Amendment Bill, 2015 seeks to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, in order to modify the list of Scheduled Castes in five states, i.e., Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Kerala, Odisha and West Bengal.

The Bill also modifies the Central List of Other Backward Classes of three states, i.e., Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Kerala.

The following castes/communities, as per approved modalities, were found to be eligible for their inclusion in, exclusion from and other modifications in the list of Scheduled Castes:

Chhattisgarh: Sais, Sarathi, Soot-Sarathi and Thanwar are eligible for their inclusion in SC category.

Haryana: Aheria (also called Aheri, Hari, Heri, Thori and Tur) and Rai Sikh have been included in the SC list.

Kerala: Peruvannan caste has been included the list and Malayan community area has been extended.

Odisha: Bariki and Kummari castes have been excluded from the OBC list.

West Bengal: The area restriction of the inclusion of Chain caste has been removed.

The members of these communities will be included in the list of Scheduled Castes after the Bill becomes an Act. As notified under the provisions of Article 341 of the Constitution of India, certain privileges/concessions are provided to the members of Scheduled Castes.