UNC appeals Governor not to okay MAPLM (P&F) Bill, 2018
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Senapati, March 30 2018: The United Naga Council (UNC) has appealed to Governor Dr Najma Heptullah, not to give her assent to "The Manipur Agriculture Produce and Livestock Marketing (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2018" passed on February 23 by the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

The Naga body submitted a memorandum in this regard to the Governor on Thursday.

According to the UNC memorandum, the Bill should not be given assent by the Governor because sub-section (3) of section 15 reads, "The local authority or autonomous district council shall deliver possession of the land or building vesting in the Market Committee under sub-section (2) within a period of seven days from such vesting and on failure of Local Authority or Autonomous District Council to do so, within the period aforesaid, the Deputy Commissioner shall take possession of the land or building and cause it to the delivered to the Market Committee".

Another reason why the Governor should not give her assent to the Bill is that, sub-section (1) of section (20) of the said "controversial Bill, 2018" passed by the Assembly mentioned that the qualification to vote and to be the representative of the agriculturist shall be (a) "Every person whose name is entered as land owner in the village land record or each tenant as defined in the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act, 1960 (Act No 33 of 1960)" .

The memorandum mentioned that the land holding system in entire hill areas of Manipur is unique and different from the plain or valley areas in the State of Manipur.

"No village land records found in the tenants system are not in existence in the entire hill areas of Manipur because MLR & LR Act, 1960 (Act No.33 of 1960) is not extended to the hill areas of Manipur" .

The UNC further cited another reason why the Bill should not be given assent by the Governor as "transfer of land belonging to tribals by the State Government is prohibited by under Article 10 and Article 26 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples adopted by the General Assembly Resolution 61/296 on 13th September, 2017 and to which the Government of India is one of the signatories as such the Government of Manipur cannot bypass the said provision" .

Finally, the Naga body said that any "Bill or decision which infringes upon our rights over land, identity, history, culture, tradition and time honoured institution will never be accepted under any circumstances.

"Therefore, in light of the above facts and circumstances, the Governor of Manipur is humbly prayed not to give assent to the said controversial Bill so as to protect the rights and interest of the tribal people", the UNC memorandum added.

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