Why is it in the news?
Elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council in Meghalaya were postponed due to unrest over a notification regarding candidate eligibility.
The issue relates to the requirement of a Scheduled Tribe certificate for contesting elections.
Category: Polity
Important Points:
● The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council operates under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
● Meghalaya has three Autonomous District Councils – Garo Hills, Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills.
● Each council has 30 members, of which 29 are elected and one is nominated by the Governor.
● Sixth Schedule areas exist in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
● The Governor has powers to create, alter or reorganise autonomous districts and regions.
● Councils can make laws on land, forests other than reserved forests, inheritance, marriage and social customs.
● They can regulate money lending and trade by non-tribals in the region.
● Central and state laws apply to Sixth Schedule areas only through a notification by the Governor or the President.
● The councils play an important role in protecting tribal autonomy and self-governance.