ADC Chairmen seek term extension
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 29 2020:
As decided at a joint meeting of all the Chairmen of the six Autonomous District Councils of the State held on July 21 this year, the Chairmen of ADC Ukhrul, ADC Chandel, ADC Sadar Hills/Kangpokpi and ADC Tamenglong have urged the State Government to extend the term of office of all Members of the six ADCs by another six months starting from December 1, 2020 till May 31, 2021 .
A memorandum jointly signed by ADC Ukhrul Chairman Dr Yaronsho Ngalung, ADC Chandel Chairman D Ringo Lamkang, ADC Sadar Hills Kangpokpi Chairman Haokholal Hangshing and ADC Tamenglong Chairman Namsinrei Panmei and addressed to the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) Chairman K Leishiyo pointed out that term of all Members of the six ADCs is extendable by one year under Section 13 (1) of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act, 1971 .
The State Cabinet had extended the term of office of all the Members of the six ADCs by six months in its sitting held on March 3, 2020 before the National lockdown came into effect, after the HAC recommended postponement of the ADC election to November 2020 .
However, it would not be conductive to hold election in the midst of community spread of COVID-19 which is currently witnessed in different parts of the State, the ADC Chairmen opined.
Seeking approval by the State Election Commission from the Department of Tribal Affairs and Hills for holding election to the six ADCs without seeking prior opinion of the HAC is violative of the second schedule of the Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, they contended.
Further pointing out that the months of November and December are full of activities related to agriculture and its harvest, festivals and other social programmes, the four ADC Chairmen suggested that April-May, 2021 would be the best time/season for holding the ADC election for all stakeholders.
The prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, community spread and the containment measures being put in by the State Government are not conducive to ADC election simultaneously with the by-election to some Assembly segments.
Holding ADC election under the prevailing situation would certainly create social chaos and health hazards to a large number of people due to unpredictable nature of transmission of COVID-19, they asserted.
While congratulating K Leishiyo on being elected as the HAC Chairman, the four ADC Chairmen expressed hope the new HAC Chairman would ensure that the long overdue implementation of power devolution to the six ADCs may see light of the day.