Committee cautions stir over ST reservation in Panchayat polls
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 13 2017: Condemning the State Government's decision declaring 18 Hilghat Zilla Parishad constituency as unreserved in the forthcoming 5th Panchayati Raj Election of Manipur, Tribal Committee of 18 Hilghat Zilla Parishad, Jiribam has cautioned that the committee in association with other civil societies and student bodies would launch various types of agitation including blockade of NH-37 if the decision is not reviewed .

In a press release, the committee claimed that 18 Hilghat Zilla Parishad was declared as reserved for ST in the lot conducted on July 24 at Manipur Panchayat Bhavan, Porompat but due to a complaint lodged by some individuals the lot was withheld on the day and later on July 26 the concerned authority considering the complaint changed their decision and declared the ZP as unreserved (women) .

It said that the revised decision hurt the sentiment of tribal of Jiribam because it is a clear indication of snatching tribal rights .

The committee after a detailed discussion observed that the State Government has committed several mistakes and violated many provisions of Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 in the arrangement of ensuing Panchayati Raj Election 2017.The committee therefore decided to move to Government of India and also to the Court for ensuring tribal rights (ST reservation), it mentioned .

The lot for reservation for ST/SC and women was conducted on July 24.It was observed that the lot for some districts was conducted based on earlier continuing process whereas for some districts the lot was conducted based on the new norms/process .

This is violation of Panchayati Raj Act because the provision for women reservation 1/3 ie 33 percent of the total seats of a ZP must be upheld.

But in case of Jiribam Zilla Parishad there is only two members, the committee pointed out .

It also claimed that conducting 5th Panchayati Election based on 2001 census violates Indian Constitution .

As the recent population census of 2011 has already been published and General election of Manipur has also been conducted as per 2011 census, the 5th Panchayati Election should also be conducted as per 2011 census, the committee affirmed .

If the Government's decision is not reviewed before issuing election notification, the committee in association with other civil societies and student bodies would be compelled to launch various types of agitation including blockade of NH-37, it cautioned.

Comment