Assam Assembly passed seven amendment bills related to autonomous councils

Guwahati: On Thursday, seven amendment bills pertaining to the autonomous councils were approved by the Assam Legislative Assembly. These measures provide the governor of the state the authority to assume control of the autonomous councils in the event that holding elections there is no longer feasible.

The Mising, Rabha Hasong, Tiwa, Sonowal Kachari, Thengal Kachari, Deuri, and Bodo Kachari Autonomous Councils all approved the amending legislation.

The amendment gives the governor the authority to take over all or a portion of the General and Executive Councils’ responsibilities and designate an individual, Interim Committee, or Authority to perform these councils’ tasks in the event that holding elections for them becomes unfeasible after the term or extended term.

“If the Governor is satisfied that circumstances so exist which render holding of the elections impracticable, after completion of the term of office or the extended term, he may assume to himself all or any of the powers and functions of the General Council and the Executive Council, and appoint such person or Interim Committee or any Authority as he may specify, who shall exercise the powers, functions and duties of the Council,” stated the amendment bills.

“The process of holding elections to the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council has already been initiated,” however, said Assam Tribal Affairs Minister Ranoj Pegu. Additionally, the State Election Commission has received a letter from the Tribal Affairs department requesting that elections be held as soon as possible for the Mising and Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council.

In the meanwhile, Industries and Commerce Minister Bimal Borah said on Wednesday that the Assam government has obtained investment pledges of almost Rs 5 lakh crore via a number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) at the just-finished Advantage Assam 2.0 conference.

“Advantage Assam 2.0 was organized with great success on February 25–26. In various industries, MoUs of over Rs 5 lakh crore were inked. We will now examine each MoU in detail, department by department. A committee will be established, and after examination, talks will take place on the implementation of all projects,” Borah informed the media report.