Urgent Call for Passage of 125th Amendment Bill to Empower Tribal Councils

Rwngwra Narzary, an MP from Assam, has voiced serious concerns regarding the stagnation of tribal autonomous councils and is calling for the immediate passage of the Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill, which has been pending for over five years. He emphasizes the need for reforms to empower these councils and fulfill the rights of the tribal population. The MP also highlights the importance of the 2020 Bodo Accord and the need for its complete implementation. As the nation aims for 'Viksit Bharat', Narzary questions the lack of progress in tribal governance and urges the government to take decisive action.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 17, 2025, 13:54 IST

Concerns Over Tribal Autonomous Councils

New Delhi, Dec 17: Rwngwra Narzary, the MP from Assam representing the United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), has raised alarms regarding the stagnation of tribal autonomous councils. He urged for the swift passage of the Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill, 2019, which has been awaiting approval in the Rajya Sabha for more than five years.

During the Zero Hour discussion, Narzary emphasized that the Constitution grants self-governance to approximately 9% of India's tribal population through the Sixth Schedule. However, he noted that the ten autonomous councils established under this framework have remained stagnant for 74 years, depriving tribal communities of their rightful development opportunities.

"The Indian Constitution includes a distinctive provision for tribal self-governance. The Sixth Schedule was intended to safeguard and promote their economic, educational, linguistic, and socio-cultural rights, as well as to protect land rights and ethnic identities," he stated.

He also mentioned that the government began reviewing the functions of the Sixth Schedule Councils in 2019 after a gap of 68 years and introduced the Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill to amend Article 280 and other related provisions.

"This forward-thinking bill seeks to enhance the administrative and financial authority of the Sixth Schedule Councils, yet it remains stalled in the Rajya Sabha," Narzary remarked.

The MP highlighted the 2020 Bodo Accord, which he claimed has now "lapsed five years" and includes Clause 4.3 of the peace agreement.

The central government had pledged to amend Article 280 through the pending bill to empower the Bodoland Territorial Council.

"Although 70% of the 2020 Bodo Accord has been implemented under the supervision of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Assam government, several crucial clauses are still pending. The people of Bodoland are demanding immediate and complete fulfillment without further delay," Narzary asserted.

As the nation progresses towards 'Viksit Bharat' under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, which includes various transformative reforms, Narzary questioned the lack of changes in the Sixth Schedule Councils.

He called on the government to implement "dynamic reforms" as outlined in the 2019 amendment bill to ensure these councils can operate effectively.

The autonomous council system was initiated in 1951 with the establishment of the Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills councils in Assam, followed by the United Khasi-Jaintia Autonomous District Council in 1952. Additional councils were formed in Mizoram during the 1970s, the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council in 1985, and the Bodoland Territorial Area District in 2002.