What are Autonomous District Councils (ADC)?

Autonomous District Council Latest News

The elections to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council are scheduled for February 21.

About Autonomous District Council

• The Sixth Schedule of the Indian constitution provides a list of ten tribal areas in Assam (3), Meghalaya (3), Tripura (1) and Mizoram (3).
• Each of these tribal areas constitutes an autonomous district. Each autonomous district has an Autonomous District Council (ADC). 

Membership of Autonomous District Council

• They have up to 30 members with a term of five years.
• Out of 30, four are nominated by the governor and the remaining 26 are elected on the basis of adult franchise.
• Tenure of Autonomous District Council: Five years from the date of their constitution. 

Functions of Autonomous District Council

• They makes laws on land, management of forests, except reserved forests, appointment of traditional chiefs and headmen, 
• They make rules regulating the inheritance of property, marriage, divorce, the constitution of village courts, 
• It can establish, construct or manage primary schools, dispensaries, markets, ferries, fisheries, roads and so on in the district.
• It can also make regulations for the control of money lending and trading by non-tribals. But such regulations require the assent of the governor.

Revenue source of Autonomous District Council

• Taxes on professions, trades, callings and employment; taxes on animals, vehicles and boats;
• Taxes on the entry of goods into a market and sale therein, and tolls on passenger and goods carried on ferries; and taxes for the maintenance of school, dispensaries or roads.

Autonomous District Council FAQs

Q1: What is the autonomous district council?

Ans: An autonomous district council is a form of self-governance set up in some parts of India

Q2: Who appoints the autonomous district council?

Ans: Governor 

Q3: What is the power of an autonomous council?

Ans: The main function of these Council bodies is to formulate various developmental schemes/project and to execute these in priority and need base manner.

Source: TH