Autonomous state within Assam
Also called: Article 244A · Topic: Special Provisions, Scheduled and Tribal Areas · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Article 244A, added by the 22nd Amendment (1969), lets Parliament create an autonomous state within Assam out of its Sixth Schedule tribal areas. Such a state can have its own legislature, its own council of ministers, or both, while still remaining part of Assam. It was a middle path between a district council and a full new state. It has been used only once.
Example
The Assam Reorganisation (Meghalaya) Act 1969 created an autonomous Meghalaya in April 1970. Meghalaya became a full state in January 1972. Groups in Karbi Anglong still demand an autonomous state under Art. 244A. The 2021 Karbi Anglong Agreement gave their council more powers instead (verify).
Don't confuse with
- Art. 371B (Assam): also added by the 22nd Amendment, 1969. It only provides a committee of the Assam assembly made up of members elected from the tribal areas. It creates no separate state.