Syllabus: GS-II, Subject: Polity, Topic: Federalism, Issue: Special provision for certain areas ( Sixth Schedule)
Context: More about the news:
- Ladakh seeks inclusion under the Sixth Schedule to address job, land, and cultural concerns.
- Instead, Union Home Minister offered Article 371-like protections to Ladakh.
Key feature of Sixth Schedule:
- Pertains to administration of tribal areas in specific states (Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram)
- Allows creation of Autonomous District and Regional Councils (ADCs and ARCs).
- These bodies can make laws on various subjects and establish village councils or courts.
- They have authority over land revenue, taxes, money lending, mineral royalties, and public facilities.
Special provisions under Article 371:
- Aim to protect the interests of specific religious, social, and tribal groups.
- Article 371-A (Nagaland), prohibiting laws that affect Naga customs and land without state Assembly consent.
- Article 371-G extends similar protections to
- Article 371-B and C allow for special committees in Assam and Manipur Legislative Assemblies, representing tribal and hill areas respectively.
- Article 371-F provides reservations in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.
- If extended to Ladakh, it would be the first time such provisions are introduced for a Union Territory.
