Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 16, 2010:
Former Minister Ngamthang Haokip has expressed concern that further review of the power and activities of 23 Departments by a sub-committee of Hill Areas Committee (HAC) after the State Cabinet's recommendation of transferring the power of 25 departments to the Autonomous District Councils has been referred to the HAC would only delayed developmental process in the hill areas.
The Cabinet recommendation of transferring the power of 25 departments to the newly reconstituted six District Councils in the hill areas of Manipur was reportedly taken up for discussion in a meeting of the HAC yesterday.
Though the meeting gave its approval to appointment of CEOs of various Department including Rural Development and officer of the Manipur Finance Department, a sub-committee has been set up for further review of the power and activities of 23 Departments in the light of norms being followed in other North Eastern States.
Talking to mediapersons in this connection today, Ngamthang Haokip said that he does not blame HAC nor has any disregard but he feels that the developmental process in the hill areas would be accelerated if the HAC takes a decision of implementing the Cabinet recommendation in toto.
The Cabinet recommendation has become about as part of the State Govt's decision to give priority to the development of hill areas and it would be to the interest of the people in the hills to hand over the power at the earliest possible, Ngamthang said, adding that HAC should pay attention to this direction.