INTRODUCTION

The tribal people of Tripura had been questing for autonomy for long years to preserve and promote their distinct ways of life. It is against this background that the  state government as well as the central government decided to set up an Autonomous District Council for the areas predominantly having  tribal population of the state to introduce internal autonomy in tribal compact areas and thereby protect the social, economic and cultural interests of the tribal population.

The objective behind setting up the Autonomous District Council is to hand over certain administrative and legal authority to the Council in order that it may devote concerted attention to all aspects of cultural, social and economic improvement of the tribal people who for historical reasons presently belong to the weaker sections of society and thereby to free them from all kinds of social injustice.

There is no doubt that the formation of the District Council under Schedule VI of the Constitution of India had fulfilled the long cherished demand of the  people of Tripura for self-government in  tribal majority areas. In this context, it deserved particular mention that while resting the right of autonomy, the tribal people had not agitated all by themselves. The democratic people of the state in general lent powerful support to their movement.

The main objective of forming the District Council under Schedule VI is to remove within a short time the material disparities between the advanced and backward sections of the societies, to  strengthen the bonds of unity between the tribal and non-tribal masses, to emancipate not only tribal people but all the deprived people from all types of injustice and exploitation. Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council is a symbol of integrity, harmony and unity of the tribal and non-tribal people of the state. Now it is marching through the concerted efforts of the masses.

In the tribal compact areas of  the state of Tripura consisting of 7,132.56 sq. kms. with an aim to introduce internal autonomy and thereby protect the social, economic and cultural interests of the tribal population as a whole. The Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council was constituted under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council  Bill, 1979 was unanimously passed by the Tripura Legislative Assembly on March 23, 1979.

The Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council was constituted through vote by secret ballot in January 15, 1982 and  the elected members were sworn in on January 18, 1982. 

Subsequently, the Constitution of India has been amended by a Bill and it was unanimously passed at the floor of the Indian Parliament on August 23, 1984 for introduction of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in India. 

A fresh election under the Sixth Schedule has been held on June 30, 1985 through vote by secret ballot and the elected members were sworn in on July 19, 1985 subsequently.