ATRPF threatens
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 23 2014: The All Tribal Right Protection Forum Manipur (ATRPF) has threatened to clamp a total indefinite economic blockade on three National Highways if their demand is not fulfilled.

ATRPF has condemned the alleged indifferent attitude shown to the Hill Area Committee (HAC) by four Cabinet Ministers and 16 MLAs from the hills areas.

Under Constitution's Article 371 (c) and subsequent order of June 20, 1972, issued by the then President VV Giri, as many as 13 items including protection of land and forest, marriage and divorce, development of village, regulation of Jhum cultivation, public health and all the economic plan within the plan allocation of hills area must come within the purview of HAC, said a press release.

And then Para 3, 4, & 6 of the said order empowered the Hill Area Committee so as to submit the view of the hill areas during the discussion of the Budget session, added the press release.

Since the inception of HAC, it has never carried out their duties in respect of Plan and Budget during the Assembly session, thereby leading to retardation in all spheres of socio-economic development of hill areas.

District Council and its functioning are also absolutely within the purview of Hill Area Committee, the press release said.

However HAC has failed to move regarding devolution of power of 26 items in favour of ADC.

Hill Area Committee has failed to carry out their statutory power in the Assembly and failed to move regarding devolution of power of 26 items in favour of ADC, which is provided under section 29 of (Hill Area) District Council Act 1971 and its amendment of 2008 .

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