Former MP raises 6th Schedule issue; questions Ibobi's silence
Source: Hueiyen News Service / K Kopham Kanshouwa

Imphal, April 12 2015 : Former MP and MLA BD Behring alleged the Chief Minister O Ibobi who had come to power in 2002 has not made any recommendation for implementation of Sixth Schedule in the hill areas.

Things had gone to such a sad pass that he did not even reply to letters in this regard from the central government.

After a long gap of 20 years during which no ADC election was held the Government of Manipur passed the 3th Amendment of Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act in the Assembly in 2008 .

Instead of 17 departments, 18 elected members and 2 nominees under the act of 1971, there are 26 departments, 24 elected members and 2 nominees each council altogether 152 members for the 6 district councils were elected in the 2011 election.

However the United Naga Council (UNC) terming the ADC Act 1971 which was amended in 2006 and 2008 as a powerless Act boycotted the election.

But then the election was held and the elected member started functioning.

Former MP and MLA BD Behring

Further the Government of Manipur constituted an Expert Committee on February 8, 2013 for examining the Manipur (hill Areas) District Council Act 1971 & the Manipur Village Authority in Hill Areas, Act 1956. Behring contended that the step of the Government to keep the Expert Committee report under wrap and issue of election notice of the ADC is against the wishes of the hill people.

Further the ADC Act, 1971 & 2008 does not have provision for reservation of women.

He proposed several times to the Government pointing out that the provision for 2 nominees should favour two women in the District Councils from unrepresented tribes.

But that has been ignored till today.

He further said that the extension of Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India will not affect the territorial integrity of Manipur as it is purely for developmental works.

Sixth Schedule is implemented in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura; Mizoram, etc where the development is rapid.

He suggested that the flow in Tribal sub plan be 33 percent above the Annual Budget earmarked for development of Tribal Areas.

But not a single department follows this rule.

The non-release of the 10 percent or 25 percent as state share for the centrally sponsored schemes and also non issue of utilization certificate by the state have prevented the release of 2nd and 3rd or final installment hampering the development in the hill areas.

Moreover, Manipur state geographical area is 22,327 sq, km.

80 percent area the State is in hills and 20 percent is valley areas.

But in allocation of development funds, valleys area's share is 80 percent and Hill hare 20 percent only and this hampered the development in the hill areas.

Regarding the State employees under Manipur Post Reservation and Vacancies for ST/SC Act 1976, 31 percent + 2 percent should be ST/SC, but still reservation Act 1976 is not followed.

Under 87th Amendment Act 2002 of India Constitution by the Parliament, Internal Delimitation of Parliamentary Constituency and Assembly are arranged by Delimitation Commission based on 2001 census.

The Manipur Population was 23,238,634 divided by 60 Assembly Constituencies.

When such exercise is made Delimitation Commission, 5 Assembly Constituencies have to be reduced from Valley (IW-2, IE-1, and Thoubal-1 Bishnupur-1) and increased to Hill Districts Senapati-2, Sardar Hills-1, Chandel-1 and Ukhrul-1.The Manipur Government in its Cabinet meeting on July21, 2005 resolved to defer of the Delimitation process.

Parliament again deferred the Delimitation process of Manipur by the representation of People Amendment Bill 2008. When President is satisfied that the situation and the condition prevailing in the State for the conduct of Delimitation exercise, he may order, rescind the deferment order issued under the Provision of section 10A of Delimitation Act 2002 in relation to that States and provide for the conduct of Delimitation exercise in the State by the Election Commission '5.8A" (1) of the said bill.

So if 5 MLAs are increased to Hill Areas, Development Funds will increase.