Chakma Autonomous District Council

The Chakma Autonomous District Council was formed under the Sixth schedule of the Constitution of India on April 29, 1972. The Council is the replication of the state assembly and exercises executive power over specially allotted departments. The people of CADC are also enjoying special safeguard granted by the article 273-G of the Constitution of India. It is one of the three Autonomous District Councils of Mizoram state in North-East India. It is an autonomous council for ethnic Chakma people living in South-Western Mizoram bordering Bangladesh and Myanamar. The CADC has a land area of 1500 square kilometers^[1] and the population grew from 34,528 in 2001^[1] to 40,265 (as of 2008).

Population

The total Chakma population of Mizoram is estimated to be more than 100,000. The entire population of Chakma Autonomous District Council belongs to schedule tribe. The total population of CADC is 34,528 as per 2001 census out of which 80% of it is dependant on agriculture and the literacy rate of Chakma Autonomous District Council is 57% as per census conducted by the Education Department of CADC in the year 2001.

Headquarters

The headquarter of Chakma Autonomous District Council is Kamalanagar which is also known as Chawngte. Kamalanagar is located on north eastern corner of CADC and on the bank of Tuichawng river. It is also divided into three parts namely Chawngte-'C' stands for the Chakmas , Chawngte-'P' stands for the Pawis, and Chawngte-'L' stands for Lais.

Head of the Council

CADC is headed by Chief Executive Member (CEM) and Executive Members (EMs).

Number of Legislators

Chakma Autonomous District Council has a total of 21 Members of District Council (MDC), out of which 19 MDCs are elected and 3 MDCs are nominated.

No. of Departments

It has a total of 27 No. of departments and they are as follows:

1. Legislative Department .
2. Judicial Department
3. Finance Department
4. General Administration Department
5. Agriculture Department
6. Horticulture Department
7. Fishery Department
8. Public Health Engineering Department
9. Industry Department
10. Sericulture Department
11. AH & Vety Department
12. Art & Culture Department
13. Social Welfare Department
14. Soil & Water Conservation Department
15. Local Administrative Department
16. Environment & Forest Department
17. Road Transport Department
18. Sport & Youth Department
19. Co-operative Department
20. Public Works Department
21. Education Department
22. Rural Development Department
23. Water ways Department
24. Information & Public Relation Department
25. District School Education Board
26. Land Revenue & Settlement
27. Planning & Development Department

No. of Village councils

1. Kurbalavasora
2. UgudasurY 'N'
3. Borapansury - I
4. Borapansury - II
5. Montola
6. Ugalsury
7. Silsury
8. Saizawh 'W'
9. Kamalanagar - I
10. Kamalanagar - II
11. Kamalanagar - III
12. Kamalanagar - IV
13. Old Bajeisora
14. Chhotapansury
15. Gulsingbapsora
16. Rajmandal
17. Baganpara
18. Bajeisora
19. Nalbania
20. Udalthanasora - I
21. Udalthanasora - II
22. Adhubangasora
23. Jamersury
24. Mandirasora
25. Nadarasora
26. Geraguluksora
27. Jarulsury
28. Ulusury
29. Ugudasory 'S
30. Kukurduleya
31. Maniabapsora - I
32. Maniabapsora - II
33. Borakabakhali
34. Ajasora - I
35. Ajasora - II
36. Ajasora - III
37. Bottuli
38. Borkolok
39. Simeisury
40. Vaseitlang - I
41. Vaseitlang - II
42. Rengashya
43. Golasury
44. Betbonia
45. Longpuighat
46. Futsury
47. Lokhisury
48. Charluitlang
49. Ludisora
50. Devasora 'N'
51. Gerasury
52. Fulsora
53. Chhotaguisury - I
54. Chhotaguisury - II
55. New Jognasury - I
56. New Jognasury - II
57. Jaruldobasora
58. Dursora
59. Boroituli
60. Boraguisury
61. New Chhippui
62. Bilosora
63. Fultuli
64. Silosora
65. Devasora 'S'
66. Kamtuli
67. Parva - I
68. Parva - II
69. Parva - III
70. Bandukbanga
71. Gobasury
72. Siminesora

History

In 1954 the central and Assam governments granted regional council to the Lakhers (aka Mara) and the Pawis (aka Lai) in the name of Pawi Lakher Regional Council. Large number of Chakmas also fell into the PLRC’s geographic boundary. However, the PLRC could not function from day one. The main reason was that there was no common language among the three tribal communities namely Chakma, Mara and Lai which they could understand. The first meeting was reportedly held without understanding each other’s language. Mizo was used as official language but Chakmas and Maras could hardly understand anything, and ultimately in 1958 the Maras decided to boycott the Regional Council’s meetings. Thus in 1972, the PLRC was divided into three regional councils and upgraded to 3 district councils for Maras, Lais and Chakmas.^{[1] [2]}

Religion

The majority of the people of Chakma Autonomous District Council are Buddhist and a minority are Christian.

Economy

Majority of the Chakmas in Mizoram are farmers. They mainly grow rice, vegetables and fruits.

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Chakma Autonomous District Council" Agriculture Department, Mizoram State Annual Plan 2003-2004 page 284, last accessed 23 December 2010
2. ^ http://mcdf.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/the-chakma-voice-global-edition2010.pdf