89th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003: Provided
for the establishment of a separate National Commission for Scheduled Tribes by
bifurcating the existing National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes. The commission shall consist of a Chairman, Vice- Chairman and three other
members. They shall be appointed by the President of India.
90th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003: This amendment was necessitated due to
creation of Bodoland Territorial Areas District within the State of Assam by
agreement reached between the Centre and Bodo representatives for solving
Bodoland problem. It stated that the representation of Scheduled Tribes and
non-Scheduled Tribes in the Constitution of the Bodoland Territorial Areas District
shall be maintained. It meant that the representation of the above categories
shall be remaining the same as existed prior to the creation of Bodoland
Territorial Areas District.
91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 (w.e.f.
01.01.2004) : This amendment limits the size of ministries at the Centre and in
States. According to new Clauses (1-A) the total number of Ministers, including
the prime Minister in the Union council of ministers or Chief Minister in the
State Legislative Assemblies shall not exceed 15 per cent of the total members
of the Lok Sabha in the Centre or Vidhan Sabha in the states. The new Clause
(1-B) of Article 75 provides that a member of either House of parliament belonging
to any political party who is disqualified for being member of that house on
the ground of defection shall also be disqualified to be appointed as a minister
under Clauses (1) of Art. 75 and 164 until he is again elected. However, the
number of Ministers, including the Chief Minister in a State shall not be less
than 12 (in smaller states like Sikkim, Mizoram and Goa).
92nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 (w.e.f.
07.01.2004):
