Centre to amend 6th Schedule to spur development in N-E tribal councils

GUWAHATI: The Government of India is all set to amend the Sixth Schedule of Constitution in a big way for the benefit of Sixth Schedule areas in the region. Decision in this regard was taken in a meeting of the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh with chief minister of Meghalaya and Tripura, Conrad Sangma and Biplab Kumar Deb and Assam industries and commerce minister, Chandra Mohan Patowary in New Delhi on Thursday.
Sources informed that the amendments were being brought about to the Sixth Schedule in accordance with the agreement (Memorandum of Settlement) signed by the Centre with now disbanded militants outfits United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) of Karbi Anglong and Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) of Dima Hasao districts of Assam way back in 2011. The agreement had led to mass surrender by the UPDS and DHD militants and subsequent engagement in peace talks with Government of India.
As per the amendments that are being brought about, the number of elected members of Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council will be enhanced to 50 and the same for Dima Hasao Autonomous District Council will be increased to 40.
The meeting also decided to bring about necessary amendment to facilitate direct funding of the Sixth Schedule councils from the Finance Commission. Panchayat-like institutions will be set up in Sixth Schedule areas through election to facilitate rapid development.