Governor’s Rule in Autonomous District Council (ADCs)

Recently, Governor’s Rule was extended in the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), Mizoram, for six more months due to ongoing political instability and administrative challenges.

Background of Governor’s Rule

• Imposition of Governor’s Rule: The Governor assumed the functions and powers of the CADC on July 7, 2025, for an initial period of six months, due to political instability in the region.
• Reason for Extension: The extension was issued due to continuing political uncertainty in the council, particularly after the removal of the Chief Executive Member (CEM)

About Autonomous District Council

• Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) are self-governing tribal administrative bodies established under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution
  • The Sixth Schedule deals with the administration of tribal areas in the northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram as per Article 244. 
• It provides for a special autonomous governance framework for tribal areas to ensure the protection of their rights and enable their self-administration.

Key Provisions Sixth Schedule

• Autonomy and Administration: The Governor has the power to modify the boundaries of the autonomous districts and change their names.
• Applicability of Laws:
• • Acts of Parliament or the state legislature do not apply automatically to autonomous districts and regions. 
  • They may apply with specified modifications and exceptions to ensure the protection of tribal interests.

Structure and Membership

• Composition: The ADCs consist of up to 30 members, 26 are elected through adult franchise and four are nominated by the governor.
• Term: serving a term of five years.

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Powers of ADCs

• Legislative Powers:  ADCs have the authority to make laws on land, forests (excluding reserved forests), water resources, agriculture, public health, sanitation, and social customs.
• Executive Powers: ADCs are responsible for administering village councils, traditional chiefs, and local law enforcement.
  • They handle matters like inheritance laws, local governance, and resource management within tribal areas
  • ADCs can establish, maintain, or manage public facilities like primary schools, dispensaries, markets, ferries, fisheries, and roads within their district.
• Judicial Powers: Establishment of tribal courts for disputes among Scheduled Tribes; jurisdiction where both parties are ST and sentences are under five years.

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