Guwahati, Dec 17: UPPL MP Rwngwra Narzary on Wednesday urged the Rajya Sabha to expedite the passage of the Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill, 2019, aimed at strengthening Sixth Schedule autonomous councils and fulfilling constitutional promises to India’s tribal communities.

Speaking during Zero Hour, Narzary said the 10 councils, representing nearly 9% of the population, have remained “stagnant” for 74 years despite the Sixth Schedule’s intent to protect economic, educational, linguistic, socio-cultural rights, land, and ethnic identity.

He traced the councils’ origins to Assam’s Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills councils in 1951, followed by Meghalaya’s United Khasi-Jaintia council in 1952, Mizoram in the 1970s, Tripura in 1985, and Bodoland in 2002.

Highlighting a 2019 government review, Narzary noted the bill proposes amendments to Article 280 to enhance administrative and financial powers of the councils. He also referred to the 2020 Bodo Accord, where 70% of its provisions have been implemented, but key clauses like 4.3 remain pending.

“People of Bodoland demand urgent fulfillment without delay,” he said, urging reforms to enable effective tribal self-governance in line with the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’.