Autonomous District Councils

Source: BS

Context: The Assam Assembly passed amendments allowing the Governor to assume control over seven autonomous councils if elections remain unfeasible even after the mandated extension period.

• These amendments impact tribal councils like Mising, Bodo Kachari, Thengal Kachari, Deori, Sonowal Kachari, Rabha Hasong, and Tiwa Autonomous Councils.

About Autonomous District Councils (ADCs):

What is an Autonomous District Council (ADC)?

• ADCs are self-governing tribal administrative bodies established under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

• They provide autonomy in governance, land management, and cultural preservation for Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura.

Membership of Autonomous Councils

• Elected Members: The majority of members are democratically elected for a five-year term.

• Nominated Members: The Governor nominates a limited number of members to ensure representation of marginalized groups.

Powers of ADCs

• Legislative Powers: Can frame laws on land, forests, water resources, agriculture, public health, sanitation, and social customs. Have judicial powers to settle disputes among tribal communities.

• Can frame laws on land, forests, water resources, agriculture, public health, sanitation, and social customs.

• Have judicial powers to settle disputes among tribal communities.

• Executive Powers: Administer village councils, traditional chiefs, policing, inheritance laws, and local governance.

• Administer village councils, traditional chiefs, policing, inheritance laws, and local governance.

• Judicial Powers: Can establish tribal courts to handle disputes where both parties belong to Scheduled Tribes, provided the sentence is under five years of imprisonment.

• Can establish tribal courts to handle disputes where both parties belong to Scheduled Tribes, provided the sentence is under five years of imprisonment.

Functions of ADCs

• Govern tribal areas while preserving traditional customs and practices.

• Manage resources such as forests, water bodies, and minerals.

• Develop local infrastructure, including education, healthcare, and rural roads.

• Promote local governance through the formation of village councils.

Revenue Sources of ADCs

• Power to levy taxes, fees, and tolls on: Land, buildings, vehicles, boats, and animals. Goods entering the district. Ferries, roads, and employment-based income. General taxation for the maintenance of local infrastructure.

• Land, buildings, vehicles, boats, and animals.

• Goods entering the district.

• Ferries, roads, and employment-based income.

• General taxation for the maintenance of local infrastructure.