Tribal bodies interact with candidates : Out of ten in the fray only four turn up
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 25 2014:
An interaction programme with candidates of Outer Manipur P/C was held today at Classic Hotel under the aegis of ATSUM and All Manipur Tribal Union (AMTU) .
The programme was also attended by college/university students, student leaders and representatives of different tribal civil organisations.
However, out of 10 candidates who have filed their nomination papers in Outer Manipur P/C, only four candidates were present at the interaction programme.
Speaking at the gathering, ATSUM president Muan Tombing said that tribal people of Manipur still remain backward and underdeveloped even after 65 years of Indian independence.
It remains a big question why none of the tribal leaders and MPs ever work for the cause of tribal people.
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Once they are elected, they would go to Delhi and stay there for five years without doing anything for the mass.
Tombing also questioned where the funds sanctioned for development of tribal people have been diverted.
The programme was specifically organised to deliberate on electing an MP who would work sincerely for the cause of tribal people, Tombing said while appealing to all the candidates to work in the collective interest of tribal people.
He also gave a 10-point chart to all the candidates asking them to see if these points can be included in their election manifestoes.
The first point is payment of honorarium/salary to village authority members as paid to Panchayat and Zilla Parishad Members under Rule 16 of the Manipur Gram Panchayat and Zilla Parishad (General) Rules 1995 .
Reservation of women's seats in Autonomous District Council under some fixed rules, implementation of the Constitution's Article 371-C and the order issued by former President VV Giri on June 20, 1972 under the same Article, improvement of health and education sectors are some other points put up by ATSUM for incorporation in election manifestoes.
Another point is initiating a special package for the people of the seven Assembly segments of Thoubal district who can vote but cannot contest the election.
Some special arrangements should be made for them so that they have the right to elect an MP of their own.
TMC's Kim Gangte, Lien Gangte of JD-U, AAP's M Khamchinpau Zou and independent candidate Mani Charenamei were present at the interaction programme and they presented their views and ideas on different subjects.