Imphal, July 04, 2010: Former Chief Minister RK Dorendra, now chairman of Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress has suggested that the Autonomous District Council Act should be amended to give more power to the Councils for accelerating development in the hill areas.

Dorendra was speaking at the reception function of ADC Member MK Noah Chothe who joined TC after being elected from Purum DCC of Chandel district as independent candidate.

Counting Noah Chothe, TC has now two Councillors.

Its candidate Thangkhomang Mate got elected from Khousabung DCC of Churachandpur district.

Speaking at the reception function held at Hotel Classic today, the former Chief Minister observed that political and financial power guaranteed by the ADC Act is limited.

It would be difficult for Autonomous District Councils to bring development in hill areas as the power devolved to them is quite limited, Dorendra said while asserting that the ADC Act should be amended to give more powers to ADC�s so that they can function meaningfully.

Stating that Anti-Defection Law is not applicable to local bodies, Dorendra claimed that Naoh Chothe�s decision to join TC rather than Congress which has a far greater number of Councillors was a step in the right direction.

Pointing out that TC, which has two Councillors is a coalition partner of the UPA Government, the former Chief Minister maintained that due share should be given to the TC Councillors during formation of ADC.

He went on to say that party leaders who met Tribal Development Minister DD Thaisii today were assured by the latter to give due benefits to TC Councillors during constitution of Autonomous District Councils.

Once the assurance is put into action, development programmes for Purum and Khousabung DCC�s can be taken up in proper manner, he exuded.

Informing that organisational works have been initiated from the grass roots level to field TC candidates in the Imphal Municipal Council elections which is just about a year away, he confided that TC would be able to major roles in the politics of Manipur in the coming years.

Speaking at the occasion, Naoh Chothe said that he joined TC as it is a partner of the Congress party and the two parties have enough room to work together towards peace and development.

He said that some other independent Councillors may also join TC in the coming days.