constituent assembly of india debates (proceedings)- volume vii

28. DRAFT PROVISIONS-
For the sake of convenience we have condensed most of our recommendations into the forms of a
draft of provisions in roughly legal form and this draft will be found as an appendix to this part. The draft
also contains certain incidental provisions including finance not referred to in this report.
29. TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS-
Reference has been made to the constitutions drafted in the different district for their local councils.
This is of course the expression of the strong desire for autonomy in the Hill District. Rather more
important however are the individualities of the different tribes and the distinctness of their customers
and social systems. If the tribes are allowed to decide the composition and powers of their own councils
it will doubtless afford them the maximum of sentimental satisfaction and conduce also to the erection of
a mechanism suited without question for their own needs and purposes. While therefore it will be
necessary in the existing conditions for the Governor of Assam (as the functionary who will carry on the
administration till the new constitution comes into force) to frame provisional rules for holding elections
and constituting the councils. We recommend that the councils thus convened should be provisional
councils (one year) and that they should frame their own constitution and regulations for the future.
[Annexure V]
APPENDIX A* TO PART OF NORTH-EAST FRONTIER (ASSAM) TRIBAL
AND EXCLUDED AREAS SUB-COMMITTEE REPORT
A (1) The areas included in Schedule* A to this Part shall be autonomous districts.
(2) An autonomous district may be divided into autonomous regions.
(3) Subject to the provisions of section P the Government of Assam may from time to time notify any
area not included in the said schedule as an autonomous district or as included in an autonomous district
and the provisions of this Part shall thereupon apply to such area as if it was included in the said
schedule.
(4) Except in pursuance of a resolution passed by the District Council of an autonomous district in
this behalf the Government of Assam shall not notify any district specified or deemed to be specified in
the schedule or part of such district, as ceasing to be an autonomous district or a part thereof.
B (1) There shall be a District Council for each of the areas specified in Schedule* A. The Council shall
have not less than twenty nor more than forty members, of whom not less than three-fourths shall be
elected by universal adult franchise.
Note. - If adult franchise is not universally adopted this provision will have to be altered.
(2) The constituencies for the elections to the District Council shall be so constituted if practicable
that the different tribals or non-tribals, if any, inhabiting the area shall elect a representative from
among their own tribe or group:
Provided that no constituency shall be formed with a total population of less than 500.