Former MP seeks Governor's intervention on Hill Areas Committee row : 06th sep21 ~ E-Pao! Headlines

You are here: Home »

Former MP seeks Governor's intervention on Hill Areas Committee row
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, September 05 2021: Expressing his opinion on the recent order issued by the Manipur Legislative Assembly Secretariat dated September 1, 2021, regarding appointment of 8 "valley MLAs" as members of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) of Manipur Legislative Assembly, BD Behring, a former MLA and former MP, said that the Governor should intervene in the matter.

BD Behring, in a press release, said that the Hill Areas Committee is clearly defined as per order 3(1) of the Presidential Order dated 20-06-1972 .

"That, the Hill Areas Committee members shall consist of all the members of the Assembly representing the Assembly constituencies situated wholly or partly in the Hill Areas of Manipur," the press note mentioned.

As such, the assembly constituencies reserved for STs are: 41-Chandel (ST) AC, 42-TPL (ST) AC, 43-Phungyar (ST) AC, 44-Ukhrul (ST) AC, 45-Chingai (ST) AC, 46-Saikul(ST)AC, 47-Karong (ST) AC, 48-Mao (ST) AC, 49-Tadubi (ST) AC, 50-Kangpokpi AC, 51-Saitu (ST) AC, 52-Tamei (ST) AC, 53-Tamenglong (ST) AC, 54-Nungba (ST) AC, 55-Tipaimuk (ST) AC, 57-Henglep (ST) AC, 58- CCPUR(ST) AC, 59-Saikot (ST) AC, and 60-Singhat (ST) AC, may be known as Hill Areas Assembly constituencies, the press release added.

"Therefore, only MLAs of these 19 ST Reserved Assembly constituencies should be members of the Hill Areas Committee," he continued.

The former lawmaker then said that the Hill Areas of Manipur are defined in the first Schedule of the said Presidential order as "Manipur North, Manipur East, Manipur West, Manipur South Revenue districts and Chandel, Chakpikarong and Tengnoupal Revenue Sub-Divisions of the Manipur Central Revenue districts.

Vide order No.20/36/69-D, Notification Imphal the 14 Nov.

1969.As mentioned in the column No (Iv) of the order No 5/11(2)/2021-LA (Secy.) dated September 1, 2021, issued by the Secretary Manipur Legislative Assembly, the aforesaid mentioned Part XV is with regard to the State of Meghalaya, BD Behring pointed out.

For the State of Manipur, it is specified in the Delimitation Commission order 1976, Part XIV.

Hence, Secretary Manipur Legislative Assembly reference is wrong, he said.

Further he questioned that just because of few ST voters included in these 8(eight) General Assembly constituencies namely, 1-Khundrakpam AC, 6-Keirou AC, 9-Thangmeiband AC, 20-Langthabal AC, 24-Nambol AC, 25-Oinam AC, 30-Lilong AC, 32-Wangkhem AC, how can these 8(eight) MLAs are qualified to become Hill Areas Committee members.

He further stated that in the Constitutional Twenty seven Amendment Act 1971 it is clearly mentioned that the Hill Areas Committee Members should be ST MLAs only.

He also mentioned that the provision to increase the number of Manipur Legislative Assembly seats by 5 (five) more for the hill districts has been blocked till today.

He also said that the special privilege granted to the Hill Areas Committee or to the 19 MLAs from Hill Areas since 1972 to 2021 has been infringed by the recent order issued by the Manipur Legislative Assembly Secretariat Lastly BD Behring appealed to the Governor to intervene and rectify such irresponsible and unconstitutional order passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly Secretariat failing which he will be compelled to approach the Supreme Court for the Constitutional Justice.

* This news is as published by respected news daily at Imphal, whose name is duly marked as 'Source'. E-Pao.net is not responsible for it's sanctity & originality.

* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.