Allegations of no devolution of power to ADCs raised
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 12 2020:
Even though Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) are believed to be crucial for development in hill districts, the institutions have little means to achieve their objectives, said an ADC Chairman.
The ADC Chairman, who doesn't want to be named, alleged that there is no strict devolution of power which will strengthen the ADCs to bring development at grassroots level in the hill areas.
He alleged that other than construction of 240 barrack type quarters and institution (identification) of 42 Model Schools, the ADCs have no major achievements.
Parliament had passed the Manipur Hill Area District Council Act 1971 while the State enforced the Manipur Hill Area District Council Rules 1972 for institution of the autonomous bodies (ADCs).
Elections to six ADCs were held for the first time in 1973.The elections to the ADCs however stopped from 1989 .
Finally, elections to elect Members of the six ADCs resumed in 2010, he said.
Despite the ADCs' best efforts to bring development to the hill areas, the bodies are not able to land concrete projects that would bring visible development, he claimed.
The ADCs are engaged in many small projects like construction of waiting shed, retaining wall, small irrigation canals, installation of culverts, water tanks and distribution of GI sheets to beneficiaries of housing scheme.
ADCs are also engaged in management of farms-ginger, pineapple, banana, etc.
Other than these, the ADCs seem to have little projects that would enhance the pace of development in the hill areas, he said adding the ADCs are sometimes turned into 'jokes' for implementing certain schemes.
Giving examples, he said when implementing poultry farming schemes, the beneficiaries usually get "one or two chicks".
Pointing out the potential of the ADCs for bringing development in the hill areas, he said the institutions need the required power and greater reach.
He further commented that the elections to ADCs have been postponed till November in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.