Centre Takes key Decisions Over Autonomous Councils

A CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI, Sept 20: In a significant development the Centre has decided to increase the number of elected members to the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council upto 50 and 40 for the Dima Hasao Autonomous Council.

The government will implement its decision by amending the 6th schedule of the Constitution.

The government will also give direct funding to the autonomous councils by amending clause 280 of Constitution. The decisions were as an implementation of the peace accord signed between the government and UPDS-DHD groups in 2011.

“Similar to Panchayat Committee, Village Councils will be formed in the autonomous council areas though elections and there will be bifurcation of executive powers,” said Assam Minister Chandramohan Patowary.

The decisions were taken in a crucial meeting that took place at North Block under the chairmanship of Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

The meeting was attended by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Tripura Chief Minisyer Biplab Dev, Assam Minister Chandan Brahma among others.

The issue of giving ST status to the six communities in Assam also figured in the meeting that was attended by senior Home ministry officials.

“After the cabinet sub-committee submits its report over the ST status issue, the Union Home Ministry will take a decision, said Patowary.