Ibobi seeks to silence critics, devolution of financial power to ADCs worked out
50 pc development funds to be under the jurisdiction of ADCs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 27 2010: True to its earlier assurances, the SPF Government has decided to hand over 50 pc of the developmental works being taken up by various Departments in the hill districts to the six Autonomous District Councils, which have been reinstated recently following an election after 20 years.

However, a final decision in this regard would have to be taken by the Hill Areas Committee of the Assembly.

Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, a reliable source said that the decision of transferring 50 pc of the developmental works has been taken with a view to empower and enhance the functioning of the ADCs.

The decision comes close on the heels of the approval by the State Cabinet to appoint the Chairmen of the respective District Councils as the Chairmen of DRDA concerned in the hill districts.

Earlier, the respective DCs were in discharged the duties of chairmen of DRDAs.

(R) Voters turn out for ADC polls and (L) the pathetic state of the road connecting Pallel and Chandel

Accordingly, the Government has identified 25 Depts which would transfer some of its power and works to the ADCs.

For the remaining depts too, the Govt has worked out a modality of sharing works and power.

In Agriculture Dept, with exception to Modernisation of Agricultural Practices, the respective ADCs would be given the power to recommend the sites for implementation of district level schemes and selection of beneficiaries.

In School Education, the ADCs will empowered to administer school education in the administration of the work in watershed areas, the ADCs and the Department shared 50 percent of the work while entire work on construction and maintenance of Inter-Village Road would be handed over to the ADCs.

In Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Institution, the ADCs would carry out selection of the beneficiaries under IAY, BRGF and SGSY schemes.

With regard to MGNREGS, the respective village authorities would take over 50 percent of the work and 25 percent by the ADCs while the remaining 25 percent would be handled by the related Department.

In Tribal Development Department, the ADCs would take over 20 percent of the work with regard to implementation of Housing Scheme, medical treatment, Agriculture/Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and extension of financial assistance to tribal artisans.

Talking to The Sangai Express in connection with the measures being taken up by the Government, chairman of Kangpokpi ADC Sh Seipu described it as historic.

Recalling that the Autonomous District Councils were set for the first time in 1973 and continued to function till 1983 in the hill districts, Seipu said that the efforts taken up by the Government to reconstitute ADCs in the hill districts and holding of election after a lapse of 20 years as well as transferring a major chunk of power to the ADCs are laudable.

Unlike previous Governments which have done nothing, the SPF Government has realised one of the cherished dreams of the tribal people in Manipur, he added.

On the other hand, chairmen of the newly formed ADCs have submitted a written application to the Chief Minister for increasing the salary of the chairmen, vice chairman, deputy chairmen, executive members and members of the ADC who are supposed to be just below the rank of MLA as per protocol.

The amount of the salary that the ADCs have proposed is Rs 50,000 for the chairman, Rs 44,000 for the vice chairman, Rs 42,000 for the deputy chairman, Rs 41,000 for the executive member and Rs 35,000 for the member.

It may be noted here that the Chief Executive Officers of ADCs are drawing a monthly salary of Rs 69,070 .