LMC for ULB election before assembly poll
Source: Chronicle News Service
Thoubal, August 17 2021:
Lilong Municipal Council (Imphal West) has appealed to the state government to conduct the election to urban local bodies ahead of the state assembly election, which is due next year.
Councillors of the council and local people staged a sit-in protest at the community hall of the council at Lilong Chajing on Tuesday demanding the government to hold the ULB election first.
Interacting with media persons at the protest venue, ward no 5 councillor Arambam Ormila pointed out that the election to ULBs was scheduled to be held in February this year but deferred due to Covid-19 .
As a result, ULBs across the state remain non-functional due to which huge central funds for taking up projects like low-cost toilet, housing among others had to be returned.
The ULBs can get funds for 15th Finance Commission three to four times in a year after submitting UCs but this year, the ULBs have not been able to get the same as they have been dissolved, except for a handful of councils, which have received funding only once this year.
Fund under non-plan allocated only once a year in January-February, is lying pending in the secretariat.
Councils which do not have their own fund sources depend an central funds, she said while cautioning that the situation will impact the lives of the general public.
While pointing out Covid vaccination is progressing significantly and neighbouring states like Assam and Sikkim have issued notification for elections, she appealed to the government to take up necessary measures for holding election to ULBs prior to the state assembly election.
She also cautioned of launching agitation if the government does not take up necessary steps in this regard.