Ukhrul ADC takes potshot against formation of Cabinet sub-committee
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, August 26 2018:
Ukhrul Autonomous District Council (UADC) has expressed their resentment against the formation of Cabinet subcommittee which will look into the crisis of Senapati, Tamenglong and Churachanpur districts that will supersede the affairs of Hill Area Committee (HAC).
In a press conference held by Ukhrul ADC today at the resident of UADC chairman Dickson Kumrah at Phungreitang Ukhrul, UADC spokesperson Paothing Vashum took a serious note on the indifferent attitude of State Government decision by constituting Cabinet sub-committee to look after the affairs of ADCs, which has contradicted and violated Article 371(C) of the Constitution.
He also alleged that the said order of August 23, 2018 clearly shows that HAC is not functioning at all and is a defunct house.
The spokesperson P Vashum also questioned the State Government on the veracity of constituting Cabinet sub-committee to look into the functioning of Autonomous District Council in respect of Senapati, Tamenglong and Churachanpur headed by Th Bishawajit Singh as chairman who is non-tribal.
He continued that HAC is the rightful body to look into the matter of hills in case of any complications or crisis that arises in the ADCs.
The direct intervention of State Government to the tribal affairs is an act of discrimination and an attempt to subdue the functioning of HAC, he added.
He said that it is the responsibility of the HAC to resolve the issues or formation of sub-committee whenever the situation demands.
He also asserted that the constitution of Cabinet subcommittee has deprived the rights of tribal people and is violation of Articles 371 (C) .
UADC chairman Dickson Kumrah also pointed out the ulterior motive of the State Government is to centralize their power in spite of devolving more power to the Autonomous District Council while mentioning that out of 26 departments under ADC only TA & Hills is functional and other respective ADCs were not given 'rights to implementation' yet.
He maintained that the present BJP led Government has promised to bring equal development of both hills and valley just to influence the tribals people for their political gain and advantages.
ADCs has also approached State Government for separate budget head for hills in order to ensure better governance at the grassroot level within the framework of Hill Area Committee (HAC) under article 371 (C) of the constitution.
The Ukhrul Autonomous District Council (UADC) opposed the formation of Cabinet sub-committee while maintaining that any issues and matters pertaining to hills superseding HAC is not acceptable.
They also appealed the State Government for immediate correction and rectification of the order considering the legal rights of the tribal people of the State.
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