Northeast Councils Meet Amit Shah for Tribal Governance Resolution

A delegation from 10 autonomous councils in the northeastern states met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday. They sought his intervention to address a long-standing issue concerning tribal self-governing bodies. The delegation, led by Pramod Boro, chief executive member of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) of Assam, presented a memorandum to Shah.

The memorandum requested Shah to table and ensure the passage of the Constitution 125th Amendment Bill, 2019, in Parliament with necessary modifications. The bill's key provisions include appointing a finance commission to review the financial position of district, village, and municipal councils. This commission would also make recommendations on tax distribution between states and district councils and grants-in-aid to autonomous councils from the state's Consolidated Fund.

Key Provisions of the Amendment Bill

The bill proposes increasing the financial and executive powers of the 10 autonomous councils in the northeast. It also includes a provision allowing the governor to make rules for disqualifying council members on grounds of defection. These councils were established under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

During the meeting, Shah assured the delegation that all issues related to the 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2019, would be resolved within a month. He also promised to direct the formation of a committee under Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai. This committee will consult with all concerned regarding points raised by all 10 Sixth Schedule councils in the northeast.

Assurances from Amit Shah

Shah assured that he would resolve issues pending from previous governments through Parliament. Besides Pramod Boro, representatives from other autonomous councils were present. These included Pradyot Manikya Debbarma from Tripura, Karbi Anglong MP Amarsing Tisso, and Kokrajhar MP Jayonta Basumatary.

The delegation's request aims to enhance the autonomy and financial stability of these councils. The proposed finance commission would play a crucial role in ensuring fair distribution of resources and grants-in-aid. This move is expected to empower local governance structures significantly.

The home minister's commitment to addressing these issues within a month brings hope for swift resolution. The formation of a committee under Nityanand Rai indicates a structured approach to consulting all stakeholders involved.

The delegation's efforts highlight the importance of addressing tribal self-governance issues promptly. Ensuring passage of the Constitution 125th Amendment Bill with necessary modifications could bring substantial changes to local governance in northeastern states.

Shah's assurance to resolve pending issues through Parliament reflects a proactive approach towards addressing long-standing concerns. The involvement of key representatives from various autonomous councils underscores the collective effort towards achieving this goal.