The Arunachal Pradesh Congress has sought an amendment to Article 371(H) of the Constitution, calling for stronger constitutional safeguards and greater autonomy for the state. The party has raised concerns over mega dam projects and the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2023.
A delegation of the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), led by its president Bosiram Siram, met Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, in New Delhi on February 18. The delegation submitted a memorandum seeking his intervention on issues related to constitutional protection and environmental security in the frontier state.
According to a party release, the memorandum pointed out the environmental, ecological and socio-economic impact of large dam projects in Arunachal Pradesh. It said the scale of hydropower development has raised concerns about protection of indigenous rights, environmental balance and long-term sustainable growth. The party argued that these issues require a strengthening of Article 371(H).
Article 371(H) is a special constitutional provision for Arunachal Pradesh. It gives the Governor special responsibility for law and order and allows him to exercise individual judgment after consulting the council of ministers. It also empowers the state Assembly to decide its structure and number of seats.
However, the APCC said the provision does not offer legal protection over ownership and transfer of land and natural resources, unlike Article 371A for Nagaland and Article 371G for Mizoram. The party has demanded similar legislative powers to safeguard tribal customary laws, social practices and religious traditions.
During the meeting, the delegation submitted a detailed note outlining what it described as pressing concerns of the state. Responding to the memorandum, Kharge acknowledged the issues raised and assured the delegation that the matter would be taken up at appropriate forums, the release stated.
