New Delhi, March 28 -- Rajya Sabha member Satnam Singh Sandhu on Thursday raised the issue of granting scheduled tribe (ST) status to Bazigar, Bauria tribe, Gadila community, Nat community, Sansi community, Barad community and Bengali communities during 'Zero Hour' in the ongoing Budget Session of the Parliament.

Speaking during the Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha, Sandhu exhorted the Union government to grant ST status to backward classes and tribes that have been residing in Punjab, so that they can also avail the benefits of several central schemes aimed at empowering such communities.

"Union Government has taken several steps to empower people belonging to tribal communities and backward classes in the country. However, the backward tribes...