constituent assembly of india debates (proceedings)- volume vii

tracts, while revenue is needed elsewhere. We have no doubt that the fixation of a rigid ratio by statute
would not be suitable for the Provincial Government to work on and may not be in the interests of the
Hills themselves. We feel that placing the sums outside the vote of the legislature is likely to be
distasteful to the Legislature and contrary to the democratic spirit and proceed therefore to consider an
alternative.
It appears to us that the main reason why the needs of the Hills are apt to be overlooked is due to
the clamour of more vocal districts and the facts that there is little attention to or criticism of, the
provisions made for the Hills, which in the case of voted items are merged in general figures. If therefore
a separate financial statement for each such area showing the revenue from it and the expenditure
proposed is placed before the legislature, it would have, apart from the psychological effect, the
advantage that it would draw attention specifically to any inadequacy and make scrutiny and criticism
easy. It can of course be objected that criticism may be ignored and that the separate statement may
therefore not serve any really useful purpose, but we nevertheless recommend the provision of a
separate financial statement as likely to fulfil its purpose. We also recommend that the framing of a
suitable programme of development, should be on the Government of Assam, either by statute or by an
Instrument of Instructions, as an additional safeguard.
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* P. Excluded and Partially Excluded Areas -- I (reference to pages are to pages in the original reports.
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(c) Central Subventions. - While the Province may be expected to do its best to provide finances to
the limit of its capacity, it seems to us quit clear that the requirements of the Hill Districts, particularly
for development schemes, are completely beyond the present resources of Assam. Though the Districts
are more developed than the Frontier Tracts in respect of which the Central Government has recognised
the need for special grants for development, the position of the Hill Districts in comparison with the
plains districts is not radically different. The development of the Hill Districts should for obvious reason
by as much the concern of the Central Government as of the Provincial Government. Bearing in mind the
special position of this province in respect of sources of central revenue, we consider that financial
assistance should be provided by the Centre to meet the deficit in the ordinary administration of the
districts on the basis of the average deficit during the past three years and that the cost of development
schemes should also be borne by the Central Exchequer. We recommend statutory provisions
accordingly.
(d) Provincial Grants for the Local Councils. - Some of our coopted Members have expressed the
apprehension that the sources of revenue open to them may not provide adequate revenue for the
administration of the District Council, particularly where there are Regional Councils. We have not made
a survey of the financial position of the new councils and their requirements in the light of the
responsibilities imposed on them but we recognise their claim for assistance from general provincial
revenues to the extent that they are unable to raise the necessary revenue from the sources allotted to
them for the due discharge of their statutory liabilities.
15. CONTROL OF IMMIGRATION -
The Hill People, as remarked earlier, are extremely nervous of outsiders, particularly non-tribals, and
feel that they are greatly in need of protection against their encroachment and exploitation. It is on
account of this fear that they attach considerable value of regulations like the Chin Hill Regulations under
which an outsider could be required to possess a pass to enter the Hills territory beyond the Inner Line
and an undesirable person could be expelled. They fell that with the disappearance of exclusion they