Part X: Scheduled and Tribal Areas

Article 244A: Formation of an Autonomous State

Original Article:

(1) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, Parliament may, by law, form within the State of Assam an autonomous State comprising (whether wholly or in part) all or any of the tribal areas specified in Part I of the table appended to paragraph 20 of the Sixth Schedule and create therefor—

• (a) A body, whether elected or partly nominated and partly elected, to function as a Legislature for the autonomous State.
• (b) A Council of Ministers, or both, with such constitution, powers, and functions as may be specified in the law.

(2) Any such law as is referred to in clause (1) may, in particular—

• Specify the matters enumerated in the State List or the Concurrent List with respect to which the Legislature of the autonomous State shall have power to make laws for the whole or any part thereof, whether to the exclusion of the Legislature of the State of Assam or otherwise.
• Define the matters with respect to which the executive power of the autonomous State shall extend.
• Provide that any tax levied by the State of Assam shall be assigned to the autonomous State in so far as the proceeds thereof are attributable to the autonomous State.
• Provide that any reference to a State in any article of this Constitution shall be construed as including a reference to the autonomous State.
• Make such supplemental, incidental, and consequential provisions as may be deemed necessary.

(3) An amendment of any such law as aforesaid in so far as such amendment relates to any of the matters specified in sub-clause (a) or sub-clause (b) of clause (2) shall have no effect unless the amendment is passed in each House of Parliament by not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting.

(4) Any such law as is referred to in this article shall not be deemed to be an amendment of this Constitution for the purposes of article 368 notwithstanding that it contains any provision which amends or has the effect of amending this Constitution.

Amendments:

1. Inserted by the Constitution (Twenty-second Amendment) Act, 1969, (w.e.f. 25-9-1969).
2. Substituted by the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganization) Act, 1971, for "Part A" with "Part I" (21-1-1972).

Explanations:

Article 244A provides the framework for forming an autonomous state within Assam to address the unique needs of tribal areas. It empowers Parliament to grant legislative and executive powers to such regions.

Clause-by-Clause Explanations:

Clause (1): Allows Parliament to establish a separate Legislature or Council of Ministers for an autonomous state in Assam.
Clause (2): Grants legislative and executive powers to the autonomous state and allows specific tax assignments to its governance.

Historical Significance:

Enacted through the Constitution (Twenty-second Amendment) Act, 1969, Article 244A acknowledges the demands for autonomy from tribal communities in Assam, enhancing their self-governance and representation.

Debates and Deliberations:

During discussions on the Twenty-second Amendment, members emphasized the need for regional autonomy to address the socio-economic disparities of tribal communities in Assam. The debates underscored the importance of empowering local governance.