To drive home the importance attached to the schedule tribes of Assam and the overall functioning of State’s Autonomous Councils, not covered under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, a two-day conference organised under the aegis of the Assam Legislative Assembly (ALA) in Guwahati in June marking the first-ever autonomous council conference in the State.
Among issues that came into focus included strengthening local and grassroots democracy to fulfil public aspirations, advancing legislative procedures specific to council acts, budgetary matters and their allocation, etc.
ALA Speaker Biswajit Daimary said that the conference was meant to strengthen and empower autonomous councils for effective implementation of the provision of relevant acts, rules, regulations, laws, bye-laws, etc.
Minister of Tribal Affairs Dr. Ranoj Pegu while inaugurating the conference dwelt on the background of the formation of these councils. “These autonomous councils were formed for the linguistic, cultural, and ethnic security of the tribal people, besides their educational and economic development. The councils need to stress on the preservation of tribal tradition, pride, and self-respect, besides working for the development of their languages and the preservation of their cultures,” he said in his speech.
The Tribal Affairs Ministers appealed to the autonomous councils to reap the benefits of Mission Basundhara to solve the age-old land-related problems of the tribal people.
the meeting
State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika said that around 17.5% of the State’s population are STs, and the State Government has been working for their development. He appealed to the autonomous councils to ensure the development of scheduled tribes and underdeveloped indigenous people with a thrust on education.
Cabinet Minister UG Brahma said, “There was a time when the movement for autonomy was viewed in a negative way. However, now people have been given the opportunity to develop themselves by encouraging autonomy.”
Chief Executive Members (CEMs), Deputy CEMs, EMs, and Chairpersons of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council, Mising Autonomous Council, Tiwa Autonomous Council, Deori Autonomous Council, Thengal Kachari Autonomous Council, Moran Autonomous Council, Matak Autonomous Council, Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council, Bodo Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council, and Kamatapur Autonomous Council were present at the conference.
Secretary of ALA Dulal Pegu termed the conference as a landmark event. “This historic gathering was designed to provide a platform for dialogue, exchange of ideas, and the sharing of best practices among the diverse Autonomous Councils operating within the State,” he told Asom Barta.
Tangkeswar Rabha, CEM of Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) sought the review of the Acts governing these councils. “For the first time, we have been able to highlight our concerns on a meaningful platform,” Rabha told this reporter over phone.
Jiban Chandra Konwar, CEM of Tiwa Autonomous Council, while appreciating the initiative, called for specific actions going forward.
“Funding to the Autonomous Councils should be based on the number of population. For a long time, we have been demanding constitutional status for Autonomous Councils,” he said while talking to this newsletter.
Tankeswar Sonowal, CEM of Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council while demanding review of the existing Acts called for more powers to these councils besides timely fund allocations.
