PRI body accuses Govt of defying court order
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 08 2024: Despite a standing order of the High Court of Manipur directing the state government to allow normal functioning of the elected representatives of 5th panchayat until notification for conduct of election to the 6th panchayat elections is issued, the state government has constituted an administrative committee in an attempt to replace the elected representatives, stated Adhoc Committee of All Manipur Elected PRIs of 2017.Addressing media persons at Manipur Press Club, here, on Thursday, Adhoc Committee president Pheiroijam Heramani Singh pointed out that the High Court had on April 18, 2023 directed the state government to allow the elected representatives (ward member, pradhan, zilla parishad member) of PRI of the 5th panchayat election perform their normal duties, despite the expiry of their term, until an election notification is issued by the competent authority.

However, instead of following the Court's order, the government constituted an administrative committee by misleading the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act 1994 in its attempt to keep aside the elected representatives.

Such act of the government is not a sign of a good governance and should be stopped at once, Heramani demanded.

He also said that the act of the government is akin to making the law department non-functional.

Moreover, the innocent people in rural areas have been deprived of the benefits of various schemes and all development programmes put on complete halt.

While questioning the government's motive to constitute of the administrative committee, Heramani pointed out that as PRI members have been contributing their mite to save Manipur amid the 9 months of crisis, it would be prudent for the government to focus on restoring peace in the state instead of plotting formation of administrative committee.

The unfit panchayati raj minister should also resign on moral ground, he demanded.

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