The Assam Panchayat Act 1959 failed in various aspects. Assam Government appointed a Study Team to study and prepare suggestions to improve Panchayati Raj Institutions. And as per the suggestions of the Study Team, the Assam Legislative Assembly introduced the Assam Panchayat (Amendment) Act, 1964.
Features of Assam Panchayat (Amendment) Act, 1964:
- Removed the provision of direct election of the President and the Vice-President of the Gaon Panchayat.
- Removed the provision for appointing a Secretary by the Gaon Panchayat.
- Co-option of two women members in Gaon Panchayat if no one was elected and one if one was elected.
- One-third of the total Presidents of the Gaon Panchayats or at least three, to be elected from the members of Gaon Sabha by the members of the Gaon Panchayats within the area of an Anchalik Panchayat.
- The Gaon Panchayat term extended from three to four years.
- Abolished direct election of members the Anchalik Panchayat.
- Authorised State Government to nominate members to Anchalik Panchayat representing the forest villages and the tea garden areas.
- Co-option of two women members in Anchalik Panchayat if no one was elected and one if one women member was elected.
- Chairman of Cooperative Central Bank, Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Sub-divisional Officer (SDO) included in Mahkuma Parishad.
- Provided co-option of two women members if no woman was a member of Mahkuma Parishad and one if one woman was elected.
The Assam Panchayat (Amendment) Act, 1964 got repealed with enactment of the Assam Panchayati Raj Act, 1972.