ADC Members urge Governor Swearing in delay peeves many
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 07 2015 :
Newly elected 18 Members of Ukhrul ADC has urged Governor Syed Ahmed to let them take oath of office and secrecy at the earliest.
Speaking to media persons at Kabow Leikai (Dewlalane) after calling on the Governor this afternoon, designated Ukhrul ADC Chairman Dr Yaronsho Ngalung said that they talked with the Governor for about 30 minutes and the Governor's response was quite positive.
The 18 Members who got elected as Independent, NPF and BJP candidates urged the Governor to facilitate early swearing-in ceremony, establishment of new Ukhrul ADC, opening of an administrative office of the ADC at Ukhrul and provision of quarters for the Members.
Even though the election notification clearly mentioned that all the election process would be completed by June 17, the elected Members have not been sworn in till date and thus they are being forbidden from discharging their duties, Dr Yaronsho said.
During the previous term, all the activities of ADCs were conducted from Imphal.
As such, people at the grassroots level could not get much benefits from different development programmes and this was conveyed to the Governor, he said.
The Members also urged the Government to amend the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Third Amendment Act 2008 .
The Act does not give a specific time period for swearing in elected Members.
Powers pertaining to 25 Government departments were devolved to ADCs in 2010 but there are only 5/6 Government departments which function properly in Ukhrul district.
Dr Yaronsho said that they also talked about the mode and selection of Government nominees.
If the swearing in ceremony is delayed any further, the whole exercise of holding election would be rendered meaningless.
The Governor listened patiently and indicated that things would take a turn for the better.
"If the Government still chooses to defer the swearing in ceremony, we will go back to the people to decide what to do", Dr Yaronsho said.