Imphal, August 06: BD Behring today suggested that the Sixth Schedule should be recommended by the state government and all necessary local arrangements be made so that the centre may introduce Sixth Schedule in the state.

Participating in the discussion on the demand discussion on Tribal Development ministry BD Behring said the government had recommended introduction of Sixth Schedule in Manipur.

The Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani wrote a letter on 28 May, 2003 to the state government enquiring if the state government has completed the focal adjustments and amendments as recommended by the state government.

There is no point in forming a Cabinet Sub Committee, convening all party meet or legislative affairs committee he added.

The people of the hill areas specially in the far flung areas are badly suffering badly he pointed out.

He observed that a person from the interior hill areas is surprised to see the developments in the capital city.

There is no telephone connection in the hill areas, no proper water supply, power supply he informed the House.

The District Council in the hill areas should be strengthened so that they can a local body to work for the development of the hill areas he opined.

The Housing schemes in the hill areas are not properly implemented and he suggested that the blame for the under development of the hill areas should not be diverted to the valley people.

I Hemochandra participating in the debate said there is no proper development in the hill areas and he produced paper clippings.

He informed the House about the report published in the Manipur Mail and other papers about the backwardness of the hill areas.

He cited the instances reported in the Manipur Mail which were carried out after a visit to Kamjong and the surrounding villages as a part of the Centre For Science and Environment, New Delhi media fellowship on "Forests as habitat".

Other members cited the examples of under development and the apathy towards the hill people.

They suggested that the Tribal development ministry should pay full attention to the development of the hill areas otherwise there is no point of shouting for territorial integrity it was observed.

Okram Joy MLA, Meinam Bhorot, L Ibomcha and other members participated in the discussion.

The Tribal Development minister Ngamthang Haokip assured the House that steps will be taken up to ensure that the tribals are taken cared of.