With the amendments proposed to Article 280 and the Sixth Schedule of ...
Of India, the government aims to provide greater autonomy and self-governance to the tribal areas in the Northeast. The amendments aim to give more powers to the autonomous councils in the region and make them more accountable to the people.
Under the proposed changes, the autonomous councils in the Northeast will have more financial and administrative powers, including the power to collect taxes and fees. The councils will also have the power to make laws on matters such as land, forests, and natural resources, subject to certain restrictions.
The amendments also propose to expand the Sixth Schedule to include more tribal areas in the Northeast. This will give more areas the status of autonomous districts and provide greater protection to the people living in these areas.
Overall, the amendments aim to strengthen the self-governance and autonomy of the tribal areas in the Northeast, while also ensuring that they remain an integral part of the Indian Union.
With the amendments proposed to Article 280 and the Sixth Schedule of ...
Cabinet Decides to Strengthen NE Autonomous Councils | 24 Jan 2019
Cabinet has approved the amendment to Article 280 and the sixth schedule to the Constitution in order to increase powers of Autonomous Councils in Sixth Schedule areas of North East.
The sixth schedule to the Constitution includes 10 autonomous district councils of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura.
The 10 autonomous councils among the 4 states under schedule six to the Constitution are:
Assam
Bodoland Territorial Council
Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council
Dima Hasao Autonomous District Council
Meghalaya
Garo Hills Autonomous District Council
Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council
Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council
Tripura
Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council
Mizoram
Chakma Autonomous District Council
Lai Autonomous District Council
Mara Autonomous District Council
Approved Amendments
Amendment in article 280 to mandate the Finance Commission to recommend devolution of financial resources. This will significantly improve the financial resources and powers of the autonomous districts councils.
Transfer of additional 30 subjects, including departments of Public Works, Forests, Public Health Engineering, Health and Family Welfare, Urban Development and Food and Civil Supply to Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council and Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council in Assam.
Renaming of few existing autonomous councils as the present jurisdiction of these councils extend to more than one districts.
Increase in seats in Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (from 30 to 50 seats), Dima Hasao Autonomous District Council (30 to 40 seats), Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (30 to 42), Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (30 to 40) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (30 to 34).
Provide for elected village municipal councils which will be empowered to prepare plans for economic development and social justice, including those related to agriculture, land improvement, implementation of land reforms, minor irrigation, water management, animal husbandry, rural electrification, small scale industries and social forestry.
Elections to these village and municipal councils will be conducted by the State Election Commission. There will be a provision for anti-defection too.
Reservation of at least one-third of seats for women in the village and municipal councils in the sixth schedule areas of Assam, Mizoram and Tripura.
At least two nominated members in all autonomous councils will be women.
Meghalaya has for the time being kept out of the purview of the provision for elected village and municipal councils and one-third reservations for women.
Sixth Schedule
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution deals with the administration of the tribal areas in the four northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram as per article 244.
The governor is empowered to increase or decrease the areas or change the names of the autonomous districts. While executive powers of the Union extend in Scheduled areas with respect to their administration in 5th schedule, the 6th schedule areas remain within executive authority of the state.
The acts of Parliament or the state legislature do not apply to autonomous districts and autonomous regions or apply with specified modifications and exceptions.
The Councils have also been endowed with wide civil and criminal judicial powers, for example establishing village courts etc. However, jurisdiction of these councils is subject to jurisdiction of the concerned High Court.