constituent assembly of india debates (proceedings)- volume vii

The Lakhimpur Frontier Tract should be attached to the regular administration of the district. The
case of the portion of the Lakhimpur Frontier Tract recently included in the Tirap Frontier Tract should be
examined by the Provincial Government with a view to a decision whether it could immediately be
brought under provincial administration. A similar examination of the position in the plains portions of
the Sadiya Frontier Tract is recommended. The portion of the Balipara Frontier Tract around Charduar
should also be subject to a similar examination [Para. *20(b)]*.
Posa payment should be continued [Para. *20 (c)]*.
13. The excluded areas other than the Frontier Tracts should be enfranchised immediately and
restrictions on the franchise in the Garo and Mikir Hills should be removed and adult franchise introduced
[Para. *21 (a) and Section B (1) of Appendix A]*.
Weightage is not considered necessary but the hill districts should be represented in the provincial
legislature in proportion not less than what is due on their population even if this involves a certain
weightage in rounding off. The total number of representatives for the hills thus arrived at [See Para.
*21 (b)] should not be taken into account in determining the number of representatives to the provincial
legislature from the rest of Assam [Para. *21 (b) and Section K or Appendix A]*.
The total population of the hill districts justifies a seat for the hill tribes in the Federal Legislature on
the scale proposed in Section 11 (c) of the Draft Union Constitution [Para. *21 (c)]*.
Joint electorate is recommended but constituencies are confined to the autonomous districts.
Reservation of seats, in view of this restriction, is not necessary [Para. *21 (d) and Section K (3) of
Appendix A]*.
Non-tribals should not be eligible for election from hill constituencies except in the constituency which
includes the Municipality and Cantonment of Shillong [Para.*21 (e) and Section K (8) of Appendix A]*.
14. Representation for the hills in the Ministry should be guaranteed by statutory provision if possible
or at least by a suitable instruction in the instrument of Instructions or corresponding provision [Para.
*22 - See also Section O (3) of Appendix A]*.
15. Non-tribal officials should not be barred from serving in the hills but they should be selected with
care if posted to the hills. The appointment of a due proportion of hill people in the services should be
particularly kept in mind and provided for in rules or executive instructions of the Provincial Government
[Para. *23]*.
16. A commission may be appointed at any time or permanently to enable the Government to watch
the progress of development plans or to examine any particular aspects of the administration [Para. *24
and Section O (i) of Appendix A]*.
17. Plains tribals number 1.6 million. Their case for special representation and safeguards should be
considered by the Minorities Sub-Committee. [Para. *25]*.
18. The question of altering boundaries so as to bring the people of the same tribe under a common
administration should be considered by the Provincial Government. The Barpathar and Sarupathar
Mouzas included in the Mikir Hills should be included in the regularly administered areas henceforth
[Para. *26]*.
19. Non-tribal residents may be provided with representation in the local councils if they are