What is Art 244(A), the constitutional promise of autonomy that is driving the election narrative at a tribal seat in Assam?

• In Assam's tribal-majority Diphu Lok Sabha constituency, candidates have promised the implementation of Article 244(A) of the Constitution to create an autonomous ‘state within a state’.
• It covers legislative Assembly segments in three tribal-majority hill districts of Assam: Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao.
• The attitude of governments in the state and at the Centre has not been to grant more autonomy but to try and take powers back.

Art 244(A):

• Article 244(A) was inserted by The Constitution (Twenty-second Amendment) Act, 1969, which enabled Parliament to pass an Act to “form within the State of Assam an autonomous State, including Karbi Anglong.
• This autonomous state would have its own Legislature or Council of Ministers or both.
• This provision gives further autonomy than the provisions under the Sixth Schedule, which are already in place in these areas.

Sixth Schedule:

• The objectives of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian constitution are:
• To provide for the administration of tribal areas in the northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
  • To protect tribal land and resources and prohibits the transfer of such resources to non-tribal individuals or communities.
  • To ensure the tribal communities are not exploited or marginalized by non-tribal populations and that their cultural and social identities are preserved and promoted.
  • The autonomous councils under the Sixth Schedule have elected representatives for more decentralized governance of these tribal areas.
• They have limited legislative powers, do not have control over law and order, and have only limited financial powers.

Prelims Takeaway

• Art 244(A)
• Sixth Schedule