GREATEST DEGREE OF SELF-GOVERNANCE
With 'self-governance' as the crying theme, a Consultation paper on "Empowering and Strengthening of Panchayati Raj Institutions/Autonomous District councils/Traditional trib§al governing institutions in North-East India" was released for public discussion and debate by the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC) recently. The Consultation paper, a copy of which is available with this correspondent suggests a wide range of administrative and structural changes with the core principle of giving greatest degree of individual and community independence in terms of decision-making and implementation. Invoking of traditional tribal institutions, participations of women in governance and administration, constitution of State Election Commission (SECs) on the lines of the Central Election Commission and State Finance Commission, application of the provisions of the Anti-Defection Law to all Sixth Schedule areas, etc. are some of the basic suggestions put forth by the Commission.
The Consultation paper looks into detail about the governance and administration of the region - from the historical angle of tribal institutions to the present day system of democratic participation. Written and edited by Sanjoy Hazarika - an authority on North-East, the Consultation paper is however not the final recommendation of the Commission. Its objective lies in eliciting public discussion, debate and response or more appropriately as the Commission pointed out "aims at developing interest, generating information and involvement in such a process of review leading to change".
Taking up the case of the State of Assam, the Commission suggests for the extension of Sixth Schedule to the Bodoland Autonomous Council with protection for non-tribal, non-Bodo groups. It also calls for upgradation of other Autonomous Councils to that of Autonomous Development Councils with more Central funds for infrastructure development and be within the purview of the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution.
The paper also suggests that all District Councils, whether described as Autonomous or otherwise and other local governing bodies (PR system as well) may examine the possibility of adopting the thirty subjects controlled by the Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills Autonomous District Councils. It also proposed for the application of Anti-Defection Law in the district councils. Significantly, the Commission suggests for regular audit of accounts and finances of the councils by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India instead of the State Auditor-General.
The Commission notes that, "the Government of India should seriously consider the request to extend the Sixth Schedule provisions to the Manipur Hill areas". Acknowledging the importance of tribal institutions, the Commission further adds "it (Govt.) should also consider invoking and involving the traditional tribal institutions of the various hill tribes as a Tier of the Autonomous District Council".
The hopes and aspirations of the Kukis were however nailed down by the Commission when it skipped out in toto about the subject of Kukis demand for 'homeland' within the State of Manipur. Nor does the paper mention about various successionist movements that are very much alive and kicking in the state. The Commission plainly comments "The Hills of Manipur are dominated by various Naga Tribes, including the Tangkhuls. There is a separate community, the Kukis, which has been pitted against the Tangkhuls, both politically and in terms of militancy, and which dominates one of the hill districts, i.e. Churachandpur".
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By Gin Gangte
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