Ningthoukhong Councillors decry Minister's interference
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 19 2013:
A group of eight Councillors of Ningthoukhong Municipal Council has strongly disapproved the interference of Commerce and Industries Minister K Govindas in the functioning of this urban local self-governing body.
Addressing media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, a representative of the group namely Councillor of Ward No.3 M Rajen said that the interference of Minister Govindas in the functioning of Ningthoukhong Municipal Council has rendered democracy at the grassroots level meaningless.
Ningthoukhong Municipal Council has 10 Councillors of Congress Party and four Independent Councillors.
Controversy emerged in the Council following differences between the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, he stated.
Rajen mentioned that four groups of Councillors moved "No Confidence Motion" against the incumbent Chairperson Maisnam Ongbi Bimola on January 7 this year, but the motion was not taken up as the required quorum could not be fulfilled.
A total of eight Councillors including four Independent Councillors again moved the "No Confidence Motion" on January 24.The meeting for hearing the motion was ordered to be called on March 25 as per the directive of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, but it was opposed for lack of permission from the Deputy Commissioner, he noted.
Rajen also said that the aggrieved Councillors filed a case in the Gauhati High Court, following which an order was passed on March 19 to give the final judgement on March 25 .
He further mentioned that a public meeting was not allowed to be held today for lack of permission from the Deputy Commissioner.
Earlier, a similar meeting was also thwarted even with prior permission after Minister Govindas directed the District Administration to cancel the permission for the meeting.
The Councillors lamented that the conduct of Minister Govindas was undemocratic and he violated the democratic principles just for the sake of Chairperson Bimola, who happens to be one of his close-relatives.
The aggrieved Councillors also appealed to the authorities concerned to look into the matter and ensure proper functioning of this grassroots democratic body.
Meanwhile, on behalf of 11 Opposition Political Parties of the State, President of JD (U) Manipur Unit N Tombi has slammed the Congress Party for its undemocratic conduct of giving unnecessary interference in the functioning of local self government.