Autonomous administrative divisions of India
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India allows for the formation of autonomous administrative divisions which have been given autonomy within their respective states.[1] Most of these autonomous district councils are located in North East India with the exception of two in Ladakh and one in West Bengal. Presently, 10 Autonomous Councils in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura are formed by virtue of the Sixth Schedule[2] with the rest being formed as a result of other legislation.
Powers and competencies
Executive and legislative powers
Under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India, autonomous district councils can make laws, rules and regulations in the following areas:[3]
- Land management
- Forest management
- Water resources
- Agriculture and cultivation
- Formation of village councils
- Public health
- Sanitation
- Village and town level policing
- Appointment of traditional chiefs and headmen
- Inheritance of property
- Marriage and divorce
- Social customs
- Money lending and trading
- Mining and minerals
Judicial powers
Autonomous district councils have powers to form courts to hear cases where both parties are members of Scheduled Tribes and the maximum sentence is less than 5 years in prison.[4]
Taxation and revenue
Autonomous district councils have powers to levy taxes, fees and tolls on: building and land, animals, vehicles, boats, entry of goods into the area, roads, ferries, bridges, employment and income and general taxes for the maintenance of schools and roads.[5]
List of autonomous administrative divisions
Autonomous district councils operating under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India are shown in bold.
| Sl. No. | State/UT | Autonomous Council | Headquarters | Formation | Last Election | Chief Executive Member | Party of Chief Executive Member | Current Party Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assam | Bodoland Territorial Council | Kokrajhar | 2003 | 2020 | Pramod Boro | UPPL (NEDA) | Total-40 Opp:- BPF-12 |
| 2 | North Cachar Hills (Dima Hasao) AC | Haflong | 1951 | 2019 | Debolal Gorlosa | BJP (NEDA) | Total-28 Govt:- BJP-19 | |
| 3 | Karbi Anglong AC | Diphu | 1952 | 2022 | Tuliram Ronghang | BJP (NEDA) | Total-26 Govt:- BJP-26 Opp:- 0 | |
| 4 | Tiwa AC | Morigaon | 1995 | 2020 | Jiban Chandra Konwar | BJP (NEDA) | Total-36 Govt:- BJP-33 AGP-2 Opp:- INC-1 | |
| 5 | Mising AC | Dhemaji | 1995 | 2019 | Ranoj Pegu | SGS | Total-35 Govt:- SGS-29 BJP-5 Opp:- IND-1 | |
| 6 | Rabha Hasong AC | Dudhnoi | 1995 | 2019 | Tankeswar Rabha | BJP (NEDA) | Total-36 Govt:- BJP+RHJMC-34 Opp:- INC-1 AGP-1 | |
| 7 | Sonowal Kachari AC | Dibrugarh | 2005 | 2019 | Dipu ranjan Markari | BJP (NEDA) | Total-26 Govt:- BJP-20 Opp:- INC-5 IND-1 | |
| 8 | Thengal Kachari AC | Titabar | 2005 | 2022 | Kumud Ch Kachari | BJP (NEDA) | Total-22 Govt:- BJP-14 AGP-3 Opp:- INC-4 IND-1 | |
| 9 | Deori AC | Narayanpur | 2005 | 2022 | Madhav Deori | BJP (NEDA) | Total-22 Govt:- BJP-11 AGP-1 Opp:- IND-8 INC-2 | |
| 10 | Moran AC | Tinsukia | 2020 | – | Dipon Moran | |||
| 11 | Matak AC | Chring Gaon | 2020 | – | ||||
| 12 | Bodo Kachari Welfare AC | Simen Chapori | 2020 | – | Mihiniswar Basumatary | |||
| 13 | Kamatapur AC | Abhayapuri | 2020 | – | Gokul Barman | |||
| 14 | Ladakh | Ladakh AHDC Kargil | Kargil | 2003 | 2018 | Feroz Ahmad Khan | JKNC | Total-30 Govt:- JKNC-10 INC-8 Opp:- IND-5 BJP-3 |
| 15 | Ladakh AHDC Leh | Leh | 1995 | 2020 | Tashi Gyalson | BJP | Total-30 Govt:- BJP-16 Opp:- INC-9 IND-1 | |
| 16 | Manipur | Chandel ADC | Chandel | 1971[6] | 2015 | Ksh. Siddharth, MCS | ||
| 17 | Churachandpur ADC | Churachandpur | 1971[6] | 2015 | Lalthazam, MCS | |||
| 18 | Sadar Hills ADC | Kangpokpi | 1971[6] | 2015 | James Doujapao Haokip, MCS | |||
| 19 | Manipur North ADC | Senapati | 1971[6] | 2015 | H L Jain, MCS | |||
| 20 | Tamenglong ADC | Tamenglong | 1971[6] | 2015 | Ningreingam Leisan[7] | |||
| 21 | Ukhrul ADC | Ukhrul | 1971[6] | 2015 | David Kashungnao, MCS | |||
| 22 | Meghalaya | Garo Hills ADC | Tura | 1973 | 2021 | Benedick R Marak | NPP (NEDA) | Total-29 Govt:- NPP-11 BJP-2 GNC-1 IND-3 Opp:- AITC-12 |
| 23 | Jaintia Hills ADC | Jowai | 1973 | 2019 | T Shiwat | NPP (NEDA) | Total-29 Govt:- NPP-12 UDP-10 Opp:- INC-4 AITC-3 | |
| 24 | Khasi Hills ADC | Shillong | 1973 | 2019 | Titosstarwell Chyne | NPP (NEDA) | Total-29 Govt:- NPP-7 UDP-6 HSPDP-2 PDF-1 Opp:- INC-10 Oth:- AITC-3 | |
| 25 | Mizoram | Chakma ADC | Kamalanagar | 1972 | 2018 | Rasik Mohan Chakma | MNF | Total-20 Govt:- MNF-19 Opp:- BJP-1 |
| 26 | Lai ADC | Lawngtlai | 1972 | 2020 | V. Zirsanga | MNF | Total-25 Govt:- MNF-20 Opp:- IND-3 BJP-1 INC-1 | |
| 27 | Mara ADC | Siaha | 1972 | 2022 | H Malvina | INC | Total-25 Govt:- INC-4 MNF-9 Opp:- BJP-12 | |
| 28 | Tripura | Tripura Tribal Areas ADC | Khumulwng | 1982 | 2021 | Purna Chandra Jamatia | TIPRA | Total-30 Govt:- TIPRA-18 IND-1 Opp:- BJP-9 |
| 29 | West Bengal | Gorkhaland Territorial Administration | Darjeeling | 2012 | 2022 | Anit Thapa | BGPM | Govt:- BGPM-27 AITC-5 IND-3 Opp:- HP-8 IND-2 |
| Legends | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | ECI Recognition[8] | |
| AKRSU(K) | All Koch-Rajbanshi Students’ Union | N/A |
| AITC | All India Trinamool Congress | State Party |
| AGP | Asom Gana Parishad | State Party |
| BJP | Bharatiya Janata Party | National Party |
| BPF | Bodoland People's Front | State Party |
| GNC | Garo National Council | Registered Unrecognized Party |
| GSP | Gana Suraksha Party | Registered Unrecognized Party |
| HSPDP | Hill State People's Democratic Party | State Party |
| INC | Indian National Congress | National Party |
| JKNC | Jammu & Kashmir National Conference | State Party |
| KADF | Karbi Anglong Democratic Forum | N/A |
| MNF | Mizo National Front | State Party |
| NPP | National People's Party | National Party |
| People's Democratic Front | State Party | |
| RHJMC | Rabha Hasong Joint Movement Committee | N/A |
| SGS | Sanmilita Gana Shakti | Registered Unrecognized Party |
| TIPRI | The Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance | State Party |
| UDP | United Democratic Party (Meghalaya) | State Party |
| UPPL | United People's Party Liberal | State Party |
De facto self-governing areas
North Sentinel Island
North Sentinel Island is situated in the island chain of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands which is a union territory of India. It is home to the Sentinelese people, who are among some of the world's last uncontacted peoples. They reject any contact with other people and are among the last people to remain virtually untouched by modern civilization. There has never been any treaty with the people of the island nor any record of a physical occupation.
The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has stated[9] that they have no intention of interfering with the Sentinelese's lifestyle or habitat. Although the island is likely to have suffered seriously from the effects of the December 2004 tsunami, the survival of the Sentinelese was confirmed when, some days after the event, an Indian government helicopter observed several of them, who shot arrows at the hovering aircraft to repel it.
Although this has not been done with any formal treaty, the official policy of minimal interference has ensured that they have de facto autonomy and sovereignty over their island under the framework of the central and local governments.[10]
See also
References
- ^ "Sixth Schedule of The Constitution of India" (PDF).
- ^ "Union Cabinet approves amendment in Sixth Schedule to strengthen 10 North East autonomous councils-India News , Firstpost". 24 January 2019.
- ^ "Sixth Schedule of The Constitution of India" (PDF).
- ^ "Sixth Schedule of The Constitution of India" (PDF).
- ^ "Sixth Schedule of The Constitution of India" (PDF).
- ^ a b c d e f "Autonomous District Councils Manipur in brief By Haokholal Hangshing". e-pao.net. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ^ "MCS, MPS officers transferred : 16th jul22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
- ^ "ECI". from the original on 27 September 2021.
- ^ The Sentineli March 2, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Administration in India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands has finally decided upon a policy of minimal interference". Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2008.
External links
- Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India