Ward Members left high and dry
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 24 2011:
A strong allegation has been raised that the newly elected Ward Members of Imphal Municipal Council (IMC) are neither recognised by the Government nor by the Council and what is more they are not allowed to assume their duty.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here this afternoon, president of the IMC Elected Ward Development Committee Members Forum Khumbongmayum Gambhir said that though Councillors and Ward Members were elected at the same time, Ward Members are not yet allowed to assume their duty.
The new Council was set up on June 13.However Ward Development Committee Members have not been assigned any responsibility or duty till date.
Except for verbal assurance from the IMC Chairperson and the MAHUD Director that efforts were on to set up Ward Development Committees, nothing concrete has been undertaken so far, Gambhir lamented.
The Ward Members submitted a representation on July 13 seeking an appointment with the Chief Minister who is also in charge of MAHUD, but no response has been received till date.
Such attitude of the Government was a direct insult to the 54 elected Ward Members and violation of democratic rights entitled to around 2.50 lakh people of seven Assembly segments located under the jurisdiction of IMC, Gambhir decried.
General secretary of the forum, Indrajit Tourangbam said that Ward Development Committees have been already set up for Nagar Panchayats.
He further appealed to the authority concerned to devolve due powers to the Ward Committees and make them functional by first week of August.
In case the authority fails to act within this period, the elected Ward Members would surrender their elections certificates to the relevant authority and they would launch various modes of democratic agitation, Indrajit cautioned.