Panchayat Implementation in 6th Schedule Areas

The Union Minister of State for Home informed the Lok Sabha on March 23, 2021, that there is no proposal presently to introduce the Panchayat system in the Sixth Schedule areas of Assam. 

What is Sixth Schedule?

• The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India protects tribal populations and provides autonomy to them by allowing the formation of autonomous administrative councils that can frame laws on land, public health, agriculture and others.
• Four states of North East India -Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram-have got tribal status under the sixth schedule. Overall, 10 Autonomous Councils exist in these four states as of now.
• The sixth schedule is  provided under Article 244(2) and Article 275(1) of the Constitution.

Sixth Schedule Areas in North-East:

• Assam: Bodoland Territorial Area, North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong
• Meghalaya: Khasi Hills, Jaintiya Hills and Garo Hills
• Tripura: Tripura Tribal Areas
• Mizoram: Chakma, Mara and Lai districts

Powers of Autonomous Councils under Sixth Schedule

• Executive and legislative powers
  • Under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, the autonomous district councils have the power to make laws, rules and regulations in the following areas:
  • Formation of village councils
  • Village and town level policing
  • Public health
  • Sanitation
  • Agriculture and cultivation
  • Water resources
  • Land management
  • Forest management
  • Appointment of traditional chiefs and headmen
  • Social customs
  • Marriage and divorce
  • Property Inheritance
  • Mining and minerals
  • Money lending and trading
• Judicial powers
  • The Autonomous district councils can form courts to hear cases where both parties are members of Scheduled Tribes and the maximum sentence is less than 5 years in prison.
• Taxation related powers
  • The Autonomous district councils can levy taxes, fees and tolls on land, buildings, vehicles, boats, bridges, roads, ferries and on the entry of goods into the area for the maintenance of roads and schools. 
  • They can also levy employment, income and general taxes.

Mitali Express between India & Bangladesh

PM Modi & Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina inaugurated a passenger train between Dhaka, and New Jalpaiguri. It will strengthen the people-to-people connectivity & connect Dhaka cantonment and New Jalpaiguri on the Chilhati-Haldibari train link.

About Mitali Express:

• The Chilhati-Haldibari train link is a significant one as it connects north Bangladesh with north Bengal.

Other Key Events:

• On the occasion of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina presented a gold and silver coin to PM Modi.
• Sheikh Hasina also handed over a silver coin to Prime Minister Modi which was released on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh Liberation.
• Prime Minister Modi also visited Orakandi Temple and addressed a gathering.