A joint forum of the Chief Executive Magistrates (CEMs) from all 10 Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in the Northeast met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday to advocate for the passing of a Bill to amend the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, aiming to increase the powers and funds of these councils.

The 10 ADCs under the Sixth Schedule include three each from Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram, and one from Tripura. These elected bodies have jurisdiction, with limited executive, legislative, and financial powers, over specific tribal-majority areas. Their goal is to promote development and enhance self-governance for tribal communities.

The CEMs of these 10 ADCs convened in New Delhi on Tuesday, forming a joint forum to push for the passage of the 125th Amendment Bill, introduced in Rajya Sabha in 2019. During their meeting with Shah, attended by Minister of State Nityanand Rai, they submitted a memorandum with specific amendment proposals from each ADC.

Pyniaid Sing Syiem, CEM of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and convener of the joint committee, described the response as “positive.” He noted that Shah committed to resolving the issue by August 25 and announced that the Home Ministry would establish a committee led by the MoS to study their proposals in detail.

The BJP and its allies hold power in most of these 10 ADCs. The United People’s Party Liberal, a BJP ally and NDA member, governs the Bodoland Territorial Council in Assam; the BJP controls the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council in Assam; the National People’s Party, another NDA partner, leads all three ADCs in Meghalaya—Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia; the Mizo National Front, part of the NDA but with a tenuous relationship, governs the Chakma Autonomous Council and shares power with a Congress CEM in the Lai Autonomous Council in Mizoram; and the BJP controls the Mara Autonomous Council in Mizoram. BJP ally Tipra Motha governs the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council.

This initiative by the ADCs follows significant losses for the BJP and its allies in the recent Lok Sabha elections in the Northeast.

Syiem emphasized the need for greater financial autonomy and powers for the ADCs. He stated that uniting was essential to effectively communicate the urgency of the Bill to the government. He highlighted the need for a distinct budget for ADCs to avoid the constant struggle for funds.

M. Laikaw, CEM of the Mara Autonomous Council, added that the Mizoram councils seek more autonomy and the authority to legislate on more subjects, as well as direct funding allocations for the councils.