TIPRA Motha Supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarman plans to approach Supreme Court over 37 pending TTAADC Bills, including tribal customary law and land issues, demanding transparency and time-bound Governor assent to strengthen council’s legislative autonomy.
TIPRA Motha Party Supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarman has announced plans to move the Supreme Court concerning the delay in the Governor’s assent on Bills passed by the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). The issue has raised significant concern among tribal representatives and political observers, who view the delay as an encroachment on the legislative powers of the autonomous council.
Debbarman highlighted that a total of 37 Bills are awaiting clearance from the Governor. “Around 16 to 17 of these Bills pertain to the customary laws of tribal communities, while a significant number deal with land issues. Several other Bills are related to promoting ease of doing business within the TTAADC jurisdiction,” he explained.
Debbarman emphasized that while the Governor has the constitutional right to return Bills for modification if deemed necessary, indefinite withholding of Bills undermines the council’s authority. “It shall give us an opportunity to rethink the matter and get it modified so that it can be enacted as law. But, if the Bills are withheld without any specified time limit, the legislative powers of the TTAADC stand censured and curtailed,” he said.
The TIPRA Motha chief referenced a recent Supreme Court judgment in the case of State of Tamil Nadu v. Governor of Tamil Nadu (April 2025), which addressed the issue of Governors delaying or indefinitely withholding assent to Bills. “In our case, the state government acts as an intermediary. On behalf of us, they forward the Bills to the Governor for assent. Our argument is that we need transparency in the whole process. The Governor has the authority to either reject or give assent to the Bill, and it must be done within a specific timeframe,” he added.
Debbarman also noted that even during the previous CPIM regime, several Bills remained pending for the Governor’s assent, highlighting that the issue is not unique to the current administration. “This is not a partisan issue. It concerns the democratic functioning and legislative autonomy of the council,” he said.
The TTAADC, established under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, enjoys a significant degree of autonomy over governance, land management, and cultural affairs in the tribal areas of Tripura. Delays in legislative approvals have not only hindered the council’s ability to implement policies effectively but have also created administrative bottlenecks, particularly in areas related to tribal customary law and land rights.
Political analysts suggest that the prolonged delay in assent can impact developmental initiatives and erode trust between the autonomous council and the state administration. TIPRA Motha, which leads the council, has consistently advocated for reforms that strengthen transparency and accountability in governance processes, especially when it comes to the timely approval of Bills.
It is also important to note that despite being in an alliance with the state government, TIPRA Motha has not hesitated to approach the courts in the past to ensure democratic processes are upheld. The party has previously filed multiple cases seeking elections to the Village Committees of the TTAADC, demonstrating its commitment to procedural fairness and grassroots representation.
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Debbarman’s decision to move the Supreme Court is likely to spark debates on the balance of power between state authorities, the Governor, and autonomous councils. Observers believe that a judicial intervention could potentially establish a precedent for time-bound assent of Bills, ensuring that legislative bodies like TTAADC can exercise their constitutional powers without undue obstruction.
As the matter unfolds, stakeholders are closely watching how the state government and the Governor’s office respond, with expectations that transparency, accountability, and timely legislative action will be reinforced in the governance of Tripura’s tribal areas.
