Govt nod to more powers for 10 N-E autonomous councils

Guwahati: In a significant move, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved amendment to Article 280 and the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution thereby devolving more administrative powers to the Autonomous District Councils of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura, besides extending more financial relief to the councils.

Informing that the Finance Commission constituted by the Union government will now be specifically mandated to recommend devolution of financial resources to the 10 Autonomous District Councils as well as the village and municipal councils in the Sixth Schedule areas, the Centre in a statement said that this will be a game-changer, as it will substantially enh-ance the funds available to these local government institutions for undertaking development works in these tribal areas.

The amendment also provides for constitution of State Finance Commissions in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura.

The amendment also provides for transfer of additional 30 subjects, including public works department, forests, public health engineering, health and family welfare, urban development and food and civil supply, to Karbi Anglong Autono-mous Territorial Council and Dima Hasao Autono-mous Territorial Council in Assam.

The Central government statement pointed out that proposed amendment will empower the village council for preparation of plans for economic development and social justice, including those in relation to agriculture and land improvement.

According to proposed amendment, there will be reservations 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 and at least two of the nominated members in all autonomous councils in the Northeast Sixth Schedule areas resulting in empowerment of women.

The State Election Commissions has been given mandate for holding elections to the autonomous councils, village and municipal councils in the areas of Assam, Mizoram and Tripura.  

The statement however clarified that 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.

Ther statement said that the amendments will also fulfill the commitments made under tripartite Memorandum of Settlements signed by Government of India, State Governments of Assam and Meghalaya, United People’s Democratic Solidarity(UPDS), Dima Halam Daogah(DHD) and Achik National Volunteers’ Council(ANVC).

The amendments have also proposed to rename the existing autonomous councils as Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council (KAATC), Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council (DHATC), Garo Hills Autonomous Territorial Council (GHATC), Khasi Hills Autonomous Territorial Council (KHATC), Jaintia Hills Autonomous Territorial Council (JHATC) and Tripura Tribal Area Autonomous Territorial Council (TTAATC) as the present jurisdiction of these Councils extend to more than one districts. There will also be increase in number of seats in KAATC, DHATC, GHATC, KHATC and JHATC.