Demand of Autonomous District Council

Context:

The Rengma Nagas in Assam have written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding an autonomous district council.

Probable Question:

1. “The Sixth Schedule of the Indian constitution has been successful in fulfilling the aspiration of tribal communities”. Critically Analyse.

Key Points:

● The Central and State governments recently upgraded the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) to territorial councils like the Bodoland Territorial Council. The 'status of territorial council' will provide more autonomy and financial grant to them.

● The KAAC population is around 12 lakh and the Karbis constitute only 3 lakh, the remaining are non-Karbis, including the Rengma Nagas, whose population is around 22,000. Rengmas Nagas feels their interest will be affected after the upgradation of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC)  to the territorial council. They demand a separate legislative seat for Rengmas.

About Autonomous District Councils:

● The Sixth Schedule consists of provisions for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, according to Article 244 of the Indian Constitution.

● Passed by the Constituent Assembly in 1949, it seeks to safeguard the rights of the tribal population through the formation of Autonomous District Councils (ADC). ADCs are bodies representing a district to which the Constitution has given varying degrees of autonomy within the state legislature.

For more information about Autonomous District Councils, refer to The Constitution (125thAmendment) Bill, 2019.