Gorkha body objects
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 16 2013:
The Manipur Gorkha Welfare Union has raised strong objection and demanded the State Government's decision to bring four Gram Panchayats of Imphal West I CD Block namely 25 Koubru Leima GP, 26 Toribari GP, 27 Kalapahar GP and 28 Santalapari under Sadar Hills ADC.
Talking to some media persons today, president of the union RV Chapagain said that the land beyond Sekmai up to Kangpokpi was reserved for Nepalese by an order of the Manipur State Durbar issued in 1915.The said land was de-reserved by another order issued by the Government in 1946 .
As per the Manipur Village Authority in Hill Areas Act 1956, the four Gram Panchayats were not tribal bodies.
Villagers possess pattas for their homestead lands in accordance to the MLR &LR Act, Chapagain said.
In accordance to a Cabinet decision, an extra ordinary gazette notification was issued on June 30, 1012 by which the four Gram Panchayats were abolished and the villages were brought under Sadar Hills.
Challenging the gazette notification, a PIL was filed at Gauhati High Court.
After perusing the PIL, the High Court issued a directive on March 4 this year asking the State Government to file an affidavit within three weeks.
The same case was transferred to Manipur High Court on April 2, 2013 and deadline was set to hear the case within three months.
Since the four Gram Panchayats were clubbed with Sadar Hills, people have not getting any benefits from the Government of India's flagship programmes like MGNREGS for the past one year, Chapagain said.
Whereas District Councils serve only tribal people, Gram Panchayats are for all communities.
Saying that clubbing the four Gram Panchayats under Sadar Hills has forfeited many benefits and facilities which otherwise should be available to the people, he appealed to the Government to review the particular Cabinet decision.