GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on Tuesday that the state government would support the Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill and suggested that it might be discussed in the upcoming Budget Session of Parliament.
Introduced in the Rajya Sabha in 2019, the Bill seeks to amend Article 280 and the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to enhance the powers and financial resources of autonomous councils. The Sixth Schedule pertains to the governance of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
Sarma stated, "The Assam state government supports the proposal for the 125th amendment of the Constitution. The Government of India is working on bringing forth this constitutional amendment, and the Standing Committee's discussions have already concluded. We expect a positive outcome in the upcoming Budget Session of Parliament."
CM Sarma made the statement at a public event celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Bodo Peace Accord. This agreement, signed in January 2020 between the Union government, the Assam government, and Bodo militant groups, resulted in the creation of the Bodoland Territorial Region. The region is now managed by a 40-member Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).
Autonomous councils have long been advocating for the Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill, and Sarma’s public endorsement comes as the BTC is set to hold elections later this year.
In July 2024, a joint forum of the chief executive members (CEMs) from all 10 Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in the Northeast met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to advocate for the passing of the Bill.
Amending Article 280 of the Constitution will empower the Finance Commission to propose measures for increasing the consolidated fund of the states, thereby supplementing the resources of the Sixth Schedule Autonomous Councils, Village Councils, and Municipal Councils.
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