The Himachal Pradesh government has granted Scheduled Tribe status to the Hattee community of the Trans-Giri area. The decision was delayed as the state government sought clarification, but the Centre responded and a notification was promptly issued. The Hattee community had been demanding ST status similar to the Jaunsar-Bawar area of Uttarakhand. The decision to grant ST status is in the run-up to the Assembly elections, responding to the community's 55-year struggle. The decision will benefit residents of the Shillai, Renuka, Pachhad, and Paonta Sahib assembly constituencies in Sirmaur district.