Vidhi Codex

The Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act, 1971

The Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act, 1971

General197153 sections8 chapters

The Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act, 1971, establishes a system of local governance for the tribal populations living in Manipur’s hill regions. It divides these areas into autonomous districts managed by District Councils, which are primarily composed of members chosen through direct election. These councils regulate vital community services, including primary schools, healthcare dispensaries, public roads, and land usage for agriculture or grazing. Importantly, they possess the authority to levy taxes and recommend legislation regarding tribal customs such as marriage and property inheritance. Ultimately, this Act matters because it empowers tribal communities to manage their own local development.

Start reading →Read full ActSections

Chapter I PRELIMINARY →

  1. 1Short title and extent.
  2. 2Definitions.

Chapter II CONSTITUTION OF DISTRICT COUNCILS →

  1. 3Division of Hill Areas into autonomous districts.
  2. 4Constitution of District Councils and their composition.
  3. 5Delimitation of constituencies.
  4. 6Power to alter or amend delimitation orders.
  5. 7Qualifications for membership.
  6. 8Disqualifications for membership.
  7. 9Electors on electoral rolls.
  8. 10Right to vote.
  9. 11Election of members.
  10. 12Notification of results of elections.
  11. 13Term of office of members.
  12. 14Disputes as to elections.
  13. 15Relief that may be claimed by petitioner.
  14. 16Grounds on which an election may be called in question.
  15. 17Procedure to be followed by the District Judge.
  16. 18Decision of the District Judge.
  17. 19Procedure in case of equality of votes.
  18. 20Finality of decisions.
  19. 21Power to make rules regulating the election of members.
  20. 22Incorporation of District Councils.
  21. 23Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
  22. 24Oath or affirmation by members.
  23. 25Vacation of seats.
  24. 26Allowances of members.
  25. 27Liability of members.
  26. 28Members to be deemed to be public servants.

Chapter III FUNCTIONS OF DISTRICT COUNCILS →

  1. 29Functions of District Councils.

Chapter IV PROCEDURE AND STAFF OF DISTRICT COUNCILS →

  1. 30Conduct of business.
  2. 31Committees.
  3. 32Officers and staff.

Chapter V FINANCE OF DISTRICT COUNCILS AND VESTING OF PROPERTY →

  1. 33Powers of taxation.
  2. 34Levy of fees.
  3. 35Procedure for imposing taxes.
  4. 36Abolition or reduction of taxes.
  5. 37Recovery of taxes and fees.
  6. 38Assessment and collection of taxes and fees.
  7. 39Appeals.
  8. 40Instalments of taxes and fees.
  9. 41Power to exempt from taxation.
  10. 42Recoveries of moneys claimable by the Council.
  11. 43Council Fund.
  12. 44Property vested in District Council.
  13. 45Budget.

Chapter VI CONTROL →

  1. 46Control.
  2. 47Supersession of District Council.
  3. 48Effect of certain provisions during the period when the Hill Areas Committee is not functioning.

Chapter VII OFFENCES AND PENALTIES →

  1. 49Penalty for obstruction.
  2. 50Penalty for entering into any contract with the Council.

Chapter VIII RULES AND BYE-LAWS →

  1. 51Power of Administrator to make rules.
  2. 52Power to make bye-laws.
  3. 53Penalty for infringement of rules or bye-laws.

PDF: pending for this language.