constituent assembly of india debates (proceedings)- volume vii

7. The Federal Government should institute a special commission after ten years to enquire into the
progress of the scheduled areas and the tribes *[Para. *16 and Sec. K (1) of App. C of Other Than
Assam Sub-Committee Report]*.
8. In provinces other than Assam, excepting the U. P. and the Punjab, a Tribes Advisory Council
containing, to the extent of three-fourths of its membership, elected members of the provincial
legislatures is recommended. The Council shall have not less than ten or more than twenty-five members
*[Para. *15 and Sec. J of App. C of Other Than Assam Sub-Committee Report]*. For U. P. and the
Punjab an advisory committee containing representatives of the tribal or backward class concerned to
the extent of two thirds is recommended *[ Par as. *3 & 4 of Final Report; see also para.*18 of this
Summary for details of U. P. Committees]*. For Assam there is provision for the Governor to appoint
either a permanent or an ad hoc commission to report or keep the Government in touch with the
administration of the autonomous districts [Para. *24 & Sec. O (1) of App. A of Assam Sub-Committee
Report]*.
9. The hill districts of Assam are to be designated as autonomous districts and special district councils
should be set up for each of them. The district councils will have powers of legislation over (a)
occupation or use of land other than land comprising reserved forest, (b) the management of forest
other than reserved forest, (c) the use of canals and water courses for the purposes of agriculture, (d)
control of jhum cultivation, (e) establishment of village and town committees and (f) village
management in general. Reserved forests will be managed by the Provincial Government [ Par as. *9 to
13 of Assam Sub-Committee Report]*.
The district council will have powers of management of all institutions which normally come under the
scope of local self-government in the plains and will have full control over primary education [Para. *13
and Sec. E of App. A of Assam Sub-Committee Report]*.
The district council will also have powers to make its own rules and regulations regarding its own
constitution *[sec.*B (5) of app . A of Assam sub-committee Report]*.
The district council will have powers to make laws affecting (a) appointment and succession of Chiefs,
(b) inheritance of property councils [Para. *18 & Sec. B (3) of app. A of Assam Sub-Committee Report]*.
District councils and regional councils can set up courts with full powers to deal with all civil suits
other than those arising out of special laws and offences punishable under the Penal Code with
imprisonment of less than five years in accordance with local or tribal custom except where non-tribals
are involved. (Para. *12 & Sec. D & F. of App. A of Assam. Sub-Committee Report).
Where there are different tribes in a district and they wish to manage their own affairs regional
councils may be set up. Regional councils have powers limited to their customary law and the
management of lands-villages and courts. Regional councils may delegate their powers to district
councils *[Para. *18 & Sec. B (3) of App. A of Assam Sub-Committee Report]*.
The district and regional councils (Assam Hill Districts) will have powers to levy land revenue, house
tax or poll tax and other taxes levied by local self-governing institutions in the plains *[Para. *14 (a) &
Sec H of App. A of Assam Sub-Committee Report]*. They should be assisted by provincial grants where
necessary *[Para. *14 (b) of Assam Report]*.
The District or Sub-divisional officer, as the case may be, will be ex-officio President of the district
council of the Mikir and North Cachar Hills.