Autonomous administrative divisions of India

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Autonomous councils in India Autonomous divisions of India.svg
Autonomous councils in India
Autonomous councils in North East India NE Autonomous divisions of India.svg
Autonomous councils in North East India

In India, there are autonomously administered territories for Scheduled Tribes which are administered by the representatives of those tribes. While some are constitutional, others are created by state legislations. The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India allows for the formation of Autonomous District Councils and Autonomous Regional Councils in four states, which has autonomy within their territory. The Act of Parliament of India and state legislations are not applicable in their jurisdiction. [1] Currently, there are 10 Autonomous District Councils in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura. [2] There are also other autonomous councils in Northeast India, Ladakh, and West Bengal formed by state legislations. Unlike the constitutional councils, the Act of Parliament of India and state legislations are applicable in these councils.

Contents

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: [1]

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. [1]

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. [1]

Constitutional autonomous councils

Autonomous District Councils operating under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India:

StateAutonomous District CouncilHeadquartersFormationChief Executive Member
Assam Bodoland Territorial Council Kokrajhar 2003 Pramod Boro
North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council Haflong 1951Debolal Gorlosa
Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Diphu 1952Tuliram Ronghang
Meghalaya Garo Hills Autonomous District Council Tura 1973Benedick R Marak
Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council Jowai 1973T Shiwat
Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council Shillong 1973Titosstarwell Chyne
Mizoram Chakma Autonomous District Council Kamalanagar 1972 Rasik Mohan Chakma
Lai Autonomous District Council Lawngtlai 1972V. Zirsanga
Mara Autonomous District Council Siaha 1972M Laikaw
Tripura Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council Khumulwng 1982 Purna Chandra Jamatia

Statutory autonomous councils

States has also created autonomous councils by the Act of state legislation. The two autonomous councils in the Union Territory of Ladakh was created by the state of Jammu and Kashmir before it was split into UTs.

State/UTAutonomous CouncilHeadquartersFormationChief Executive Member
Assam Tiwa Autonomous Council Morigaon 1995Jiban Chandra Konwar
Mising Autonomous Council Dhemaji 1995Ranoj Pegu
Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council Dudhnoi 1995Tankeswar Rabha
Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council Dibrugarh 2005Dipu ranjan Markari
Thengal Kachari Autonomous Council Titabar 2005Kumud Ch Kachari
Deori Autonomous Council Narayanpur 2005Madhav Deori
Moran Autonomous Council Tinsukia 2020Dipon Moran
Matak Autonomous Council Chring Gaon2020
Bodo Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council Simen Chapori2020Mihiniswar Basumatary
Kamatapur Autonomous Council Abhayapuri 2020Gokul Barman
Manipur Chandel Autonomous District Council Chandel 1971 [3] Ksh. Siddharth, MCS
Churachandpur Autonomous District Council Churachandpur 1971 [3] Lalthazam, MCS
Sadar Hills Kangpokpi 1971 [3] James Doujapao Haokip, MCS
Manipur North Autonomous District Council Senapati 1971 [3] H L Jain, MCS
Tamenglong Autonomous District Council Tamenglong 1971 [3] Ningreingam Leisan [4]
Ukhrul Autonomous District Council Ukhrul 1971 [3] David Kashungnao, MCS
Ladakh Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil Kargil 2003Mohammad Jaffer Akhone
Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh Leh 1995Tashi Gyalson
West Bengal Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Darjeeling 2012Anit Thapa

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 [5] 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. [6]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Sixth Schedule of The Constitution of India" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 October 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  2. "Union Cabinet approves amendment in Sixth Schedule to strengthen 10 North East autonomous councils". 24 January 2019. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Autonomous District Councils Manipur in brief By Haokholal Hangshing". e-pao.net. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  4. "MCS, MPS officers transferred : 16th jul22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  5. The Sentineli Archived March 2, 2009, at the Wayback Machine .
  6. "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.