Ex-ADC Members demand House resolution on polls
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 03 2024:
Ex-ADC Members of various districts have demanded the State Assembly to take a resolution to hold ADC elections.
Speaking to reporters at Manipur Press Club, ex-ADC Member of Tameng- long Autonomous District Council, K Liangpibou said the elections are long overdue and it must be held without further delay.
He recalled that the State Cabinet had earlier decided to conduct the 6th ADC elections, and following this, the Election Commission and the Tribal Affairs & Hills Department had also taken a decision on this and sent for the Hill Areas Committee's "remark" .
The Hill Areas Committee, however, has remained silent, he said.
The ex-Member said the Autonomous District Councils are autonomous in nature and it is not mandatory for the ADCs to hold the elections simultaneously.
He said the districts which are not affected by the ongoing conflict must be allowed to hold the elections.
"People in hill districts will welcome the move of the Hill Areas Committee if it decides to conduct the ADC elections at the earliest.
Delaying the elections is suppression of the rights of the people," Liangpibou said.
He also said that the Municipal and Panchayat elections also ought to be held in time.
Ex-Member of Ukhrul ADC, N Wungreiyo decried that the fund for ADC (untied grant--first instalment, 2020-21)--under the 15th Finance Commission has not been released yet although Chief Minister N Biren has claimed in the Assembly that funds meant for local bodies are released on time through the caretakers.
He said the pending fund for the 1st instalment is Rs 50 crore in total.
Wungreiyo further claimed that the State Government has given the ADCs two shares of taxes only.
If the ADCs are given their fair share of taxes, then the institutions will not face any fund constraint for development works, he said.
He then urged the State Government to replace the Tribal Affairs and Hills Minister, "as he is no longer able to perform his responsibilities" .