Assam Assembly passed bills allowing the governor to take control of statutory autonomous councils if elections are delayed after their extended term.
- The councils affected include Mising, Thengal Kachari, Deori, Sonowal Kachari, Rabha Hasong, and Tiwa.
- The amendment allows a one-year extension (two six-month terms) before governor intervention.
Governance of Tribal Areas
Statutory Autonomous Councils
- Established by States through Acts passed by the State Legislature.
- Also present in Manipur (six councils).
- Objective: Social, economic, educational, ethnic, and cultural development of tribal communities.
- Powers in Assam: Executive control over 34 subjects (e.g., cottage industries, land, education).
Constitutional Autonomous Councils
- Under the 6th Schedule (Article 244) of the Constitution Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) are established in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura.
- If in any autonomous districts more than one tribe reside then governor can carve out autonomous region and respective autonomous regional council is established.
- Composition: Up to 30 members (4 nominated by the governor, rest elected).
- Exception: Bodoland Territorial Council can have 46 members.
- Term: 5 years.
- Powers: They have legislative, executive, judicial and financial powers.
- Governor’s Power: Can create or modify autonomous districts.
- Total ADCs: 10 across 4 states.
- Bodoland Territorial Council, Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong are the 3 Autonomous District Council in Assam
