Sixth schedule

Sixth schedule

Subject: Polity

Context: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that “presently, there is no proposal to implement Panchayat system in Sixth Schedule areas of Assam”.

Concept:

• Currently there is no Panchayat system in Sixth Schedule areas of Assam
• Protects tribal populations and provides autonomy to the communities through creation of autonomous development councils that can frame laws on land, public health, agriculture and others.
• As of now, 10 autonomous councils (North Cachar Hills, KarbiAnglong and the Bodoland Territorial Area in Assam, Khasi Hills, Jaintiya Hills and Garo Hills in Meghalaya, Tribal Areas in Tripura, Chakma, Mara and Lai districts in Mizoram.) exist in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, according to Article 244 of the Indian Constitution.
• ADCs are bodies representing a district to which the Constitution has given varying degrees of autonomy within the state legislature.
• The Governors of these states are empowered to reorganise boundaries of the tribal areas.
• Along with ADCs, the Sixth Schedule also provides for separate Regional Councils for each area constituted as an autonomous region.
• Each autonomous district and regional council consists of not more than 30 members, of which four are nominated by the governor and the rest via elections. All of them remain in power for a term of five years.
• The Bodoland Territorial Council, however, is an exception as it can constitute up to 46 members.
• 125th Amendment) Bill, 2019 presently in house provides for elected village municipal councils and increases financial and executive powers of the autonomous councils. The State Election Commissions will hold elections to the autonomous councils, village and municipal councils.