Related Topics: Culture, Indian Polity
News
Meghalaya’s bid to exclude “unrepresented tribes” from the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution has left minor tribes in the state in a worrisome situation.
Major Communities
Meghalaya is divided into autonomous councils in the names of the three major matrilineal communities — Garo, Khasi and Jaintia.
Minority Tribes
The minority tribes in Meghalaya include the Hajong, Koch, Rabha, Boro and Mann.
Sixth Schedule of Indian Constitution
- Parts or the whole of the four northeastern States — Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura — fall under the Sixth Schedule.
- As per Article 244 and 6th Schedule, these areas are called “Tribal Areas“, which are technically different from the Scheduled Areas under fifth schedule.
- The Governors of these four states are empowered to organise and re-organise the autonomous districts.
- If there are different tribes in an autonomous district, the governor can divide the district into several autonomous regions.
Concerns of Minority Tribes
- Recently, a sub-committee constituted by the State government had decided to recommend to the Standing Committee of Parliament, the removal of the word “unrepresented tribes” from the amended Sixth Schedule.
- Currently, members of such tribes are nominated to the autonomous district councils.
Leave a Comment