Guwahati, July 1 -- Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram on Tuesday said the six communities in Assam seeking Scheduled Tribe (ST) status will have to wait longer, as the process of inclusion under Article 342 of the Constitution involves multiple constitutional authorities and cannot be expedited.

Speaking after reviewing the functioning of Assam's Tribal Affairs (Plain) Department at Koinadhara in Guwahati along with Assam Education and Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Classes Minister Ranoj Pegu and senior officials, Oram said the Centre would take a decision only after the prescribed constitutional process is completed.

"The issue of inclusion and exclusion under Article 342 of the Constitution involves a long and well-define...