Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 11, 2010:
Former Minister Ngamthang Haokip has blamed the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) for impeding development in hill areas by not studying the Cabinet decision on devolution of power to Autonomous District Councils (ADCs).
The former Minister was speaking as chief guest at the handing over function of land and an ambulance van to the Rural Development Agency, Leimakhong today at Leimakhong Bazar community hall.
A plot of two acres was donated by L Phaikot village chief Jangmeikhup Vaiphei to the Rural Development Agency for construction of a hospital.
Taking due note of the hill districts lagging behind in terms of development, the Congress led SPF Government conducted ADC elections after a gap of more than 20 years.
Subsequently, Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the ADCs have also been appointed.
This was followed by a Cabinet meeting held on August 25 in which it was decided that ADCs would be empowered to handle 25 departments.
On August 30, the same decision was referred to the HAC for necessary perusal but till date, the HAC has been sleeping over the Cabinet decision thereby impeding development in hill districts, asserted Ngamthang Haokip.
He further called upon the HAC to study the powers conferred upon ADCs and pass the same at the earliest in the interest of bringing and expediting development at the grass roots level in hill districts.
The function jointly organised by Rural Development Agency and Irengbam the Thamcha Devi Nursing and Health Care Research Institute was also attended Sadar Hills ADC Chairman SH Seipu, managing director of Thamcha Nursing Institute I Ibotombi and advisor of the Rural Development Agency, SI Paokhosei.