constituent assembly of india debates (proceedings)- volume vii

Provided that land required by the government of Assam for public purposes shall be allotted free of
cost if vacant, or if occupied, on payment of due compensation in accordance with the law relating to the
acquisition of land; (b) the management of any forest which is not a reserve forest; (c) the use of canal
or water courses for the purposes of agriculture; (d) controlling, prohibiting or permitting the practice of
jhum or other forms of shifting cultivation; (e) the establishment of village or town committees and
councils and their powers; (f) all other matters relating to village or town management, sanitation, watch
and ward.
(2) The Regional Council or if there is no Regional Council, the District Council shall also have powers
to make laws regulating (a) the appointment or succession of chiefs or headmen; (b) inheritance of
property; (c) marriage and all other social customs.
D. (1) Save as provided in Section F the Regional Council, or if there is no Regional Council, the
District Council, or a court constituted by it in this behalf shall have all the powers of a final court of
appeal in respect of cases or suits between parties, all of whom belong to hill tribes, in its jurisdiction.
(2) The Regional Council, or if there is no Regional Council the District Council may set up village
Councils or Courts for the hearing and disposal of disputes or cases other than cases triable under the
provisions of Section F, or cases arising out of laws passed by it in the exercise of its powers, and may
also appoint such officials as may be necessary for the administration of its laws.
E. The District Council of an autonomous district shall have the powers to establish or manage
primary schools, dispensaries, markets, cattle pounds, ferries, fisheries, roads and waterways and in
particular may prescribe the language and manner in which primary education shall be imparted.
F. (1) For the trial of acts which constitute offences punishable with imprisonment for five years or
more or with death, or transportation for life under the Indian Penal Code or other law applicable to the
district or of suits arising out of special laws or in which one or more of the parties are non-tribals, the
Government of Assam may confer such powers under the Criminal Procedure Code or Civil Procedure
Code as the case may be on the Regional Council the District Council or Courts constituted by them or an
officer appointed by the Government of Assam as it deems appropriate and such courts shall try the
offences or suits in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure or Civil Procedure as the case may
be.
(2) The Government of Assam may withdraw or modify powers conferred on the Regional Council or
District Council or any court or officer under this section.
(3) Save as provided in this section the Criminal Procedure Code and the Civil Procedure Code shall
not apply to the autonomous district.
Note. - "Special Laws" - Laws of the type of the law of contract, company law or insurance etc. are
contemplated.
G. (1) There shall be constituted a District or Regional Fund into which shall be credited all moneys
received by the District Council or Regional Council as the case may be in the course of its administration
or in the discharge of its responsibilities.
(2) Rules approved by the Comptroller of Assam shall be made for the management of the Fund by
the District or Regional Council and management of the Fund shall be subject to these rules.
H. (1) A Regional council, or if there is no Regional Council the District Council shall have the