AS INTRODUCED IN LOK SABHA

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1 1 AS INTRODUCED IN LOK SABHA 5 Bill No. 197 of 2015 THE SIXTH SCHEDULE TO THE CONSTITUTION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2015 By SHRI VINCENT H. PALA, M.P. A BILL further to amend the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India in its application to constitution of District Councils and powers of the District Councils and Regional Councils. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixty-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follow: 1. This Act may be called the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution (Amendment) Act, In the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution, (i) in paragraph 2, for the existing sub-paragraph (1), the following sub-paragraph shall be substituted, namely: "(1) There shall be a District Council for each autonomous district consisting of not more than forty members who shall be elected on the basis of adult suffrage."; Short title. Amendment of the Sixth Schedule.

2 2 (ii) in paragraph 3, in sub-paragraph (1), after entry (j), the following entry shall be inserted, namely: "(k) traditional occupations of the tribals including occupations relating to mines and minerals."; and (iii) in paragraph 4, after sub-paragraph (1), the following sub-paragraphs shall be inserted, namely: "(1A) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, where a Regional Council or a District Council resolves that the customary practices and laws are to be protected, the Governor shall refer the matter to the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned. (1B) Where the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned agrees to the resolve of a Regional Council or a District Council, the Governor shall issue a specific order in this behalf.". 5 10

3 STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS Despite various provisions protecting the customary lives of the tribes under the Sixth Schedule, the Schedule had remained only on paper. Orders of various forums, which are squarely contrary to the Constitutional guarantees given to the tribes under the Sixth Schedule, are being thrust upon the tribals thereby leading to diminishing of the Constitutional safeguards and purpose of the Sixth Schedule. to It is, therefore, proposed to amend the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution, with a view (i) increase the numbers of the members in the District Council from thirty to forty, as originally envisaged in the Constitution; (ii) bring traditional occupations of tribals relating to mines and minerals under legislative competence of the District Council; and (iii) protect customary practices and interests of tribals. Hence this Bill. NEW DELHI; July 6, VINCENT H. PALA 3

4 ANNEXURE EXTRACT FROM THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA Constitution of District Councils and Regional Councils. Powers of the District Councils and Regional Councils to make laws. Administration of justice in autonomous districts and autonomous regions. SIXTH SCHEDULE [Articles 244(2) and 275(1)] Provisions as to the Administration of Tribal Areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram 2. (1) There shall be a District Council for each autonomous district consisting of not more than thirty members, of whom not more than four persons shall be nominated by the Governor and the rest shall be elected on the basis of adult suffrage. 3. (1) The Regional Council for an autonomous region in respect of all areas within such region and the District Council for an autonomous district in respect of all areas within the district except those which are under the authority of Regional Councils, if any, within the district shall have power to make laws with respect to (a) the allotment, occupations or use, or the setting apart, of land, other than any land which is a reserved forest for the purposes of agriculture or grazing or for residential or other non-agricultural purposes or for any other purpose likely to promote the interests of the inhabitants of any village or town: Provided that nothing in such laws shall prevent the compulsory acquisition of any land, whether occupied or unoccupied, for public purposes by the Government of the State concerned in accordance with the law for the time being in force authorising such acquisition; (b) the management of any forest not being a reserved forest; (c) the use of any canal or water-course for the purpose of agriculture; (d) the regulation of the practice of jhum or other forms of shifting cultivation; (e) the establishment of village or town committees or councils and their powers; (f) any other matter relating to village or town administration, including village or town police and public health and sanitation; (g) the appointment or succession of Chiefs or Headmen; (h) the inheritance of property; (i) marriage and divorce; (j) social customs. 4. (1) (2) (3) The High Court shall have and exercise such jurisdiction over the suits and cases to which the provisions of sub-paragraph (2) of this paragraph apply as the Governor may from time to time by order specify. 4

5 LOK SABHA A BILL further to amend the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India in its application to constitution of District Councils and powers of the District Councils and Regional Councils. (Shri Vincent H. Pala, M.P.) GMGIPMRND 1548LS(S3)