Autonomous councils in India
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.

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]

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

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

Opp:- BPF-12

2 North Cachar Hills (Dima Hasao) AC Haflong 1951 2019 Debolal Gorlosa BJP

(NEDA)

Total-28

Govt:- BJP-19

Opp:- INC-2 IND-6 AGP-1

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
PDF 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

  1. ^ "Sixth Schedule of The Constitution of India" (PDF).
  2. ^ "Union Cabinet approves amendment in Sixth Schedule to strengthen 10 North East autonomous councils-India News , Firstpost". 24 January 2019.
  3. ^ "Sixth Schedule of The Constitution of India" (PDF).
  4. ^ "Sixth Schedule of The Constitution of India" (PDF).
  5. ^ "Sixth Schedule of The Constitution of India" (PDF).
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Autonomous District Councils Manipur in brief By Haokholal Hangshing". e-pao.net. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  7. ^ "MCS, MPS officers transferred : 16th jul22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  8. ^ "ECI". Archived from the original on 27 September 2021.
  9. ^ The Sentineli Archived March 2, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  10. ^ "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.