What does article 371-J in Indian Constitution deal with?
Q. Article 371-J deals with -- Published on 07 Mar 17a. Sikkim
b. Karnataka
c. Arunachal Pradesh
d. Goa
ANSWER: Karnataka
Sikkim -
- 36th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1975 made Sikkim a full-fledged state of the Indian Union.
It included a new Article 371-F containing following special provisions with respect to Sikkim -
1. The Sikkim Legislative Assembly is to consist of not less than 30 members.
2. One seat is allotted to Sikkim in the Lok Sabha and Sikkim forms one Parliamentary constituency.
3. For the purpose of protecting the rights and interests of the different sections of the Sikkim population, the Parliament is empowered to provide for -
(i) number of seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly which may be filled by candidates belonging to such sections; and
(ii) delimitation of the Assembly constituencies from which candidates belonging to such sections alone may stand for election to the Assembly.
4. The Governor shall have special responsibility for peace and for an equitable arrangement for ensuring the social and economic advancement of the different sections of the Sikkim population.
5. In the discharge of this responsibility, the Governor shall act in his discretion,subject to the directions issued by the President.
6. The President can extend (with restrictions or modifications) to Sikkim any law which is in force in a state of the Indian Union.
Mizoram -
Article 371-G provides following special provisions -
1. The Acts of Parliament relating to the following matters would not apply to Mizoram unless the State Legislative Assembly so decides -
(i) religious or social practices of the Mizos;
(ii) Mizo customary law and procedure;
(iii) administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Mizo customary law; and
(iv) ownership and transfer of land.
2. The Mizoram Legislative Assembly is to consist of not less than 40 members.
- This was added by 53rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1986.
Arunachal Pradesh -
Under Article 371-H (by 55th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1986), the following special provisions are made for Arunachal Pradesh -
1. The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh shall have special responsibility for law and order in the state.
2. In the discharge of this responsibility, the Governor, after consulting the Council of Ministers, exercises his individual judgement and his decision is final.
3. This special responsibility of the Governor shall cease when the President so directs.
4. The Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly is to consist of not less than 30 members.
Goa - Article 371-I provides that the Goa Legislative Assembly is to consist of not less than 30 members (added by the 56th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1987).
Karnataka -
Under Article 371-J, the President is empowered to provide that the Governor of Karnataka would have special responsibility for -
1. The establishment of a separate development board for Hyderabad-Karnataka region.
2. Making a provision that a report on the working of the board would be placed every year before the State Legislative Assembly.
3. The equitable allocation of funds for developmental expenditure over the region.
4. The reservation of seats in educational and vocational training institutions in the region for students who belong to the region.
5. The reservation in state government posts in the region for persons who belong to the region.
- Article 371-J (which provided for special provisions for the Hyderabad-Karnataka region of the state of Karnataka) was inserted in the Constitution by the 98th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2012.
- The Hyderabad - Karnataka region includes the 6 backward districts of Northern Karnataka, viz., Gulbarga, Bidar, Raichur, Koppal, Yadgir and Bellary.
- The special provisions aim to establish an institutional mechanism for equitable allocation of funds to meet the development needs over the region, as well as to enhance human resources and promote employment from the region by providing for local cadres in service and reservation in educational and vocational training institutions.
- In 2010, the Legislative Assembly as well as the Legislative Council of Karnataka passed separate resolutions seeking special provisions for the Hyderabad-Karnataka region of the state of Karnataka.
- The government of Karnataka also endorsed the need for special provisions for the region.
- The resolutions sought to accelerate development of the most backward region of the state and promote inclusive growth with a view to reducing inter-district and inter-regional disparities in the state.
