Article 244: Administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas.
Clause (1):
Plain English: This article states that for “Scheduled Areas” and “Scheduled Tribes” in any state (except Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram), the special rules laid out in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution will apply.
Real-World Example: The Fifth Schedule gives the Governor special powers to protect tribal land in these areas, and it mandates a “Tribes Advisory Council” to be set up. This applies to Scheduled Areas in states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
Clause (2):
Plain English: This states that for the four specific states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, the special rules laid out in the Sixth Schedule will apply.
Real-World Example: The Sixth Schedule is very different. It allows for the creation of powerful “Autonomous District Councils” (ADCs) with their own powers to make laws, collect certain taxes, and administer justice on local matters. The ADCs in Meghalaya (like the Khasi Hills ADC) or Bodoland in Assam are examples of this.
