Analysis of a tribal area governance institution: Policy choices for development

Abstract

The Sixth Schedule of the constitution of India deals with the administration of tribal areas in the four northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura as per Article 244. At present, there are 10 Autonomous District Councils in these states under the sixth schedule. Beside these, the Govt of Assam and Manipur have constituted 6 nos of State level Autonomous Councils each. The Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India provides ample powers to the District Council for self-governance of the tribal population of the state. Under the provision, the Tripura Tribal Area Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) is vested predominantly with two types of Powers: (1) Legislative Power and (2) Executive Power. The Legislative Department of the District Council is headed by the Chairman who summons the meeting of the Council time to time in connection with approval of budget, discussion on bills, rules and regulations submitted by the treasury bench and passing of the same thereof. The Council consists of 30 members out of which 28 members are elected by adult franchise and 2 members are nominated by the Governor of Tripura. The Executive Powers are vested with the Executive Committee which is headed by the Chief Executive Member who is elected from among the Treasury Bench members. The functional departments are headed by a Principal Officer. However, the impacts of self-governance through ADC are still falling short of the aspiration and expectation of the tribal communities in Tripura. Demand of a separate state called “Twipraland” is raised by some indigenous fronts. The ADC is fully dependent on the State Govt for running the administration and developmental works. Budgetary support of the State Govt is in wide deficit as compared to the proposal of Council’s proposal. Demand for more financial autonomy and direct funding from the centre is raised. The basic unit of Autonomous District Council is Village. There are 587 Village Councils which are clustered under a Development Block. The Chief Executive Officer of such block is Block Development Officer (BDO), who is under the control of the State government. The Council does not have a direct say or control in developmental work in such villages which are not funded by it. Questions, therefore, arise whether the Council is just an extension of the State administration? How would the Council serve to improve the economic status of the tribal population along with the socio-cultural upliftment? How the cross-functioning of the departments are hindering the objectives of the Council under Sixth schedule of the Constitution? Whether the direct funding from the Central Govt shall make any difference? As the allocation from the Central Govt is also delayed and staggered based on utilization certificates. What policies and processes then the District Council Authorities should adopt? How would the NITI AYOG or the Finance Commission devolve the distribution of such funds? The study aims to look into these concerns by evaluating the progress in the functional areas since the formation of the District Council since 1979. Also it aims to compare with the state of affairs in other such autonomous district councils in North East India vis-à-vis the efficacy of Panchayati Raj system under 73rd and 74th amendment of Indian Constitution.