Bill on district councils tabled in Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI: Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday introduced The Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the upper House.
The bill seeks to bring in tribal-dominated autonomous district councils of North East under purview of the Finance Commission.
This would make more funds accessible for local development for one crore people in 10 autonomous district councils.
The Union cabinet had earlier approved wide-ranging amendments for the councils making them more powerful with more devolution of funds and powers.
The bill needs to be passed in both Houses of Parliament and obtain the President’s assent before becoming law. Hence, it would not affect the district council polls in Meghalaya slated for February 27.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned in the afternoon following uproar by the Opposition members over issues, including the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. The Lok Sabha was adjourned in the morning following death of a sitting BJD MP.