Constitutional Framework
- Jurisdiction: ADCs are autonomous administrative bodies established under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- Geographical Coverage: They govern ten designated tribal areas across four northeastern states: Assam (3), Meghalaya (3), Mizoram (3), and Tripura (1).
Composition and Tenure
- Membership: Each council consists of a maximum of 30 members. Of these, 26 are elected through universal adult franchise, and 4 are nominated by the state’s Governor.
- Term: The operational tenure of an ADC is five years from the date of its constitution.
Legislative and Administrative Functions
- Civil and Customary Laws: Empowered to enact laws regarding land use, unreserved forest management, property inheritance, marriage, divorce, and the appointment of traditional chiefs.
- Public Infrastructure: Authorized to establish and manage primary schools, dispensaries, markets, fisheries, ferries, and local roads.
- Judicial Powers: Possesses the authority to constitute village courts to adjudicate tribal disputes.
- Regulatory Control: Can regulate money-lending and trading activities by non-tribals within the district, subject strictly to the Governor’s assent.
Financial Powers and Revenue Sources
- Taxation: Authorized to levy and collect taxes on professions, trades, employments, vehicles, animals, and the entry or sale of goods in markets.
- Tolls and Maintenance: Collects tolls on passenger and goods ferries, alongside specific taxes dedicated to the maintenance of public schools, dispensaries, and roads.
Conclusion
Autonomous District Councils serve as crucial instruments of decentralized governance, designed to protect the cultural identity, traditional rights, and socio-economic interests of tribal populations while ensuring equitable regional administration.
| This Concept Has Been Mentioned In The Article: The Multi-Front Ethnic Conundrum: Anatomy of Manipur’s Hill-Valley Fault Lines |