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NT Bureau
Chennai, June 21:

        Members of the Baduga community, who are presently placed in the backward classes category have demanded inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list and sought a separate Parliamentary constituency in Nilgiris district for them.

        The leader of the community's panchayat in four zones of Nilgiris

        R Ayyary Gowder, told reporters here yesterday that the Badugas had not made any progress on the economy and education front since they were placed in the Backward Classes list.

        He said there were 3,50,000 Badugas living in the district and the community was a separate tribe living in the hills for many centuries. 'The government should recognise this fact and accord them ST status,' he added.

        The inadequate procurement of prices for green tea has also affected the livelihood of the community, he pointed out.