constituent assembly of india debates (proceedings)- volume vii

degree to the life of the people with whom they live and the special provisions concerning legislation in
particular are therefore proposed largely for the schedule areas *[provinces other than Assam; see page
*33 of this volume]* and the autonomous districts *[(Assam) Para. *13 of Report and Section *A of
Appendix A on p. 19 of Report].*
3. Although in the case of the autonomous districts of Assam a distinction has been made, the
proposals in the main contemplate that tribals should be treated as a minority in the matter of
representation in the legislatures and recruitment to the various services of the Central and Provincial
Governments. In the case of the tribals of provinces other than Assam reserved representation in the
provincial and Federal Legislatures (House of the People) in proportion to the total tribal population of
the Province is recommended by joint electorate. In the case of Assam similar reservation of
representation for the plains tribals (excluding tea-garden lab our) is recommended. In the case of the
hill districts, in view of their small and exclusive populations it is recommended that representation
should be provided in proportion to the population out in such a way that all fractions of a lakh are taken
as one lakh even though this might involve a small weight age. In the Federal Legislature (House of the
People) the autonomous hill districts should have a representative. The plains tribal should have
representation in the House of the People also on the basis of their population. In all cases election by
adult franchise is recommended and indirect election or nomination should not be resorted to. There
should be special representation as follows: -
Laccadive Group - 1.
Amindivi Group - 1.
Minicoy Island - 1.
Lahaul & Spiti - 1.
(Para. *9 of Interim Report of Other Than Assam Sub-Committee and Para. *21 of Assam Sub-
Committee Report; see also Para. 6 of Joint Report).
Non-tribals will not be eligible for elections from hill constituencies to the provincial legislature except
the constituency which includes the municipality of Shilling *[Para. *21 (e) and Sec. K (8) of App. A of
Assam Report]*. Constituencies may not be so made as to extend outside the boundaries of autonomous
districts [Para. *21 (d) and Sec. K (3) or App. A, Assam Report]*.
4. There should be a department under the Federal Government in order to supervise and watch the
development of the tribals in the different provinces and to furnish such advice and guidance as may be
needed *[Para. *5 of Final Report of Other Than Assam Sub-Committee]*.
5. The areas inhabited by the tribes are hilly and difficult country, to develop which is likely to be
beyond the resources of some Provincial Governments. The Federation should therefore provide the
necessary funds for the execution of approved schemes of development [Para. *17 of Interim Report and
Sec. *I & K (2) of App. C of Other Than Assam Sub-Committee, also para. *14 (c) and Sec. N of App. A
of Assam Sub-Committee Report]*. In the case of Assam, the Federation should also meet the average
deficit of the autonomous districts during the three years preceding the commencement of the
Constitution [Para. *14 (c) and Sec. *N of App. A of Assam Report]*.
6. The Central Government should also be in a position to require the Provincial Governments to draw
up and execute schemes for the scheduled areas [Para. *17 of Interim Report and Sec. I & K (2) of App.
C of Other Than Assam Sub-Committee]*.