Shillong, Feb 27 (TIWN) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Friday that the key objective behind setting up the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) is to protect the rights of the tribal communities of northeast India, provide them equal rights in the decision-making process and ensure that their administration is carried out in accordance with their traditions and conventions.

The Lok Sabha Speaker said that the northeastern states are quite distinct from a geographical and socio-cultural point of view. Keeping this in view, a special provision for ADCs for these states has been made in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.  "In fact, the functions of these ADCs are like that of a mini-state legislative body. Therefore, the objective of the discussion and dialogue held here should be to ensure the accountability of the executives. ADCs hold a pivotal place in the process of local development. Their members have full knowledge of the strengths of local areas which can be optimally utilised for their socio-economic development," Birla said.