(a) whether the Government of India have not yet included the Santhaii Language in the
Eighth Schedule of the Constitution;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) the time by which it is likely to be included;
(d) whether the Government of india have not yet constituted a separate Santhali Language
Committee for protection and promotion of Santhali Language;
(e) the time by which it is likely to be constituted; and
(f) if so, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JUAL ORAM):
(a) to (c) As no parameters have been laid down for inclusion of more languages including
the Santhali Language in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution, the Government have
decided to constitute a High Powered Body for laying down such criteria. Action to
constitute the proposed Body has already been initiated and the question of inclusion of
more languages, including the Santhali Language in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution,
would be considered in accordance with the criteria so evolved.
(d) to (f) As per information received from the Ministry of Human Resource Development,
the Government of India have not so far constitute a separate Santhali Language Committee
for protection and promotion of the Santhali Language, and no such proposal is under
consideration at present.