Guwahati: The Assam Assembly on Thursday passed amendments to seven autonomous council Acts, granting the Governor authority to assume control over the councils if elections cannot be conducted even after the mandated extended term of their elected committees.
Introducing the Bills, Tribal Affairs Minister Ranoj Pegu explained that while the term of the elected councils can be extended for a maximum of one year, provisions were necessary to address situations where elections remain impractical beyond this period.
The amendments apply to the Mising Autonomous Council, Bodo Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council, Thengal Kachari Autonomous Council, Deori Autonomous Council, Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council, Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council, and Tiwa Autonomous Council.
According to the amendments, if the Governor determines that elections are not feasible following the expiration of the council’s term or its extended tenure, he may assume any or all powers of the councils or appoint an interim authority to oversee their functioning.
The normal tenure for these councils is five years.
During the debate, Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia of the Congress suggested that an ordinance could address interim arrangements instead of amending the original Acts.
Congress MLA Abdur Rasheed Mandal expressed concerns that the changes could weaken the councils and grant disproportionate authority to the Governor.
AIUDF legislator Rafiqul Islam noted that the amendments lack a time limit for the Governor’s takeover, while Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi proposed that interim powers should be vested in the elected bodies until elections can be held.
Responding to opposition concerns, Minister Pegu cited the creation of the Bodo Kachari Welfare Autonomous Council in 2020, which necessitated jurisdictional changes to other councils.
The delimitation process delayed the election timelines, requiring a legal framework for interim governance.
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He assured the Assembly of the government’s commitment to timely elections, pointing out that the voter list for the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council has already been published. Processes for other councils are expected to begin by September or October.
Specific to the Tiwa Autonomous Council, the minister highlighted the addition of two constituencies, increasing the council’s general seats to 42, with 38 elected members and four nominated by the government.
Despite initial resistance, Congress withdrew its amendment motions after assurances from the minister regarding timely elections.
However, Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi did not retract his proposed amendments.
The Assembly passed all seven amendment Bills by voice vote.
