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

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.

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]

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/UTAutonomous CouncilHeadquartersFormation Last ElectionChief Executive MemberParty of Chief Executive MemberCurrent Party Position
1 Assam Bodoland Territorial Council Kokrajhar 20032020 Pramod Boro UPPL (NEDA)Total-40

Govt:- UPPL-15 BJP-12 GSP-1

Opp:- BPF-12

2 North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council Haflong 19512019Debolal Gorlosa BJP

(NEDA)

Total-28

Govt:- BJP-25

Opp:- IND-3 NOM-2 [3]

3 Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Diphu 19522022Tuliram Ronghang BJP

(NEDA)

Total-26

Govt:- BJP-26

Opp:- 0

4 Tiwa Autonomous Council Morigaon 19952020Jiban Chandra Konwar BJP

(NEDA)

Total-36

Govt:- BJP-33 AGP-2

Opp:- INC-1

5 Mising Autonomous Council Dhemaji 19952019Ranoj PeguSGSTotal-35

Govt:- SGS-29 BJP-5

Opp:- IND-1

6 Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council Dudhnoi 19952019Tankeswar Rabha BJP

(NEDA)

Total-36

Govt:- BJP+RHJMC-34

Opp:- INC-1 AGP-1

7 Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council Dibrugarh 20052019Dipu ranjan Markari BJP

(NEDA)

Total-26

Govt:- BJP-20

Opp:- INC-5 IND-1

8 Thengal Kachari Autonomous Council Titabar 20052022Kumud Ch Kachari BJP

(NEDA)

Total-22

Govt:- BJP-14 AGP-3

Opp:- INC-4 IND-1

9 Deori Autonomous Council Narayanpur 20052022Madhav Deori BJP

(NEDA)

Total-22

Govt:- BJP-11 AGP-1

Opp:- IND-8 INC-2

10 Moran Autonomous Council Tinsukia 2020Dipon Moran
11 Matak Autonomous Council Chring Gaon2020
12 Bodo Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council Simen Chapori2020Mihiniswar Basumatary
13 Kamatapur Autonomous Council Abhayapuri 2020Gokul Barman
14 Ladakh Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil Kargil 20032023Mohammad Jaffer Akhone Jammu & Kashmir National Conference Total-30

Govt:- Jammu & Kashmir National Conference-10 Indian Natonal Congress-8

Opp:- IND-5 BJP-3

15 Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh Leh 19952020Tashi Gyalson Bhartiya Janata Party Total-30

Govt:- Bhartiya Janata Party-16

Opp:- INC-9 IND-1

16 Manipur Chandel Autonomous District Council Chandel 1971 [4] 2015Ksh. Siddharth, MCS
17 Churachandpur Autonomous District Council Churachandpur 1971 [4] 2015Lalthazam, MCS
18 Sadar Hills Kangpokpi 1971 [4] 2015James Doujapao Haokip, MCS
19Manipur North Autonomous District Council Senapati 1971 [4] 2015H L Jain, MCS
20Tamenglong Autonomous District Council Tamenglong 1971 [4] 2015Ningreingam Leisan [5]
21Ukhrul Autonomous District Council Ukhrul 1971 [4] 2015David Kashungnao, MCS
22 Meghalaya Garo Hills Autonomous District Council Tura 19732021Benedick R Marak NPP

(NEDA)

Total-29

Govt:- National People's Party (India)-11 BJP-2 Garo National Council-1 IND-3

Opp:- AITC-12

23 Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council Jowai 19732019T Shiwat National People's Party (India)

(NEDA)

Total-29

Govt:- NPP-12 UDP-10

Opp:- INC-4 AITC-3

24 Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council Shillong 19732019Titosstarwell Chyne National People's Party (India) (NEDA)Total-29

Govt:- NPP-7 UDP-6 HSPDP-2 PDF-1

Opp:- INC-10 Oth:- AITC-3

25 Mizoram Chakma Autonomous District Council Kamalanagar 19722023 Rasik Mohan Chakma MNF Total-20

Govt:- MNF-12

Opp:- INC-6 BJP-1

26 Lai Autonomous District Council Lawngtlai 19722020V. Zirsanga MNF Total-25

Govt:- MNF-20

Opp:- IND-3 BJP-1 INC-1

27 Mara Autonomous District Council Siaha 19722022M Laikaw BJP Total-25

Govt: BJP -16 Opp:- INC - 4 MNF - 5

28 Tripura Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council Khumulwng 19822021 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
PartyECI Recognition [6]
AKRSU(K)All Koch-Rajbanshi Students’ UnionN/A
AITCAll India Trinamool CongressState Party
AGPAsom Gana ParishadState Party
BJPBharatiya Janata PartyNational Party
BPFBodoland People's FrontState Party
GNCGaro National CouncilRegistered Unrecognized Party
GSPGana Suraksha PartyRegistered Unrecognized Party
HSPDPHill State People's Democratic PartyState Party
INCIndian National CongressNational Party
JKNCJammu & Kashmir National ConferenceState Party
KADFKarbi Anglong Democratic ForumN/A
MNFMizo National FrontState Party
NPPNational People's PartyNational Party
PDFPeople's Democratic FrontState Party
RHJMCRabha Hasong Joint Movement CommitteeN/A
SGSSanmilita Gana ShaktiRegistered Unrecognized Party
TIPRIThe Indigenous Progressive Regional AllianceState Party
UDPUnited Democratic Party (Meghalaya)State Party
UPPLUnited People's Party LiberalState 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 [7] 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. [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union territory</span> Form of administrative division in India

A union territory is a type of administrative division in the Republic of India. Unlike the states of India, which have their own governments, union territories are federal territories governed, in part or in whole, by the Union Government of India. There are currently eight union territories in India, namely, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.

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Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) is an autonomous district council in the state of Assam, India for development and protection of tribals living in area namely Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong district. The council is constituted under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India and administratively functions under the Government of Assam. It was formed with the name Karbi Anglong District Council on 17 November 1951. Later changed to Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council on 23 June 1952, which is now celebrated as its foundation day. After Signing of M.O.U. between Government of India, Government of Assam and United People's Democratic Solidarity, it was renamed to Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council. It has administrative functions over two district, Karbi Anglong district and West Karbi Anglong district. Its headquarters is in Diphu, Karbi Anglong district. The total area of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council is 10,434 sq. km having a population of 961,275 as of 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dima Hasao Autonomous Council</span>

The Dima Hasao Autonomous Council earlier known as North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), is an autonomous district council in the state of Assam in India. It was constituted under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India to administer the Dima Hasao district and to develop the hill people in the area. Its headquarters is in Haflong, Dima Hasao district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Allen Chau</span> American missionary (1991–2018)

John Allen Chau was an American evangelical Christian missionary who was killed by the Sentinelese, an uncontacted tribe, after illegally traveling to North Sentinel Island and experiencing numerous hostile encounters over several days in an attempt to introduce the tribe to Christianity.

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. "BJP sweeps Assam tribal council elections". The Hindu . 12 January 2024. Archived from the original on 13 January 2024. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  4. 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.
  5. "MCS, MPS officers transferred : 16th jul22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  6. "ECI". Archived from the original on 27 September 2021.
  7. The Sentineli Archived March 2, 2009, at the Wayback Machine .
  8. "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.