ADC members to stay away from LS polls
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, March 12 2014 : Members of the six Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), Manipur have resolved to launch a non-co-operation movement for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections to express their strong disappointment against the state government of Manipur.

According to the press communique of the Autonomous District Council Co-ordination Committee, Manipur which was issued today, in a meeting held at Council Bhavan, Chingmeirong, Imphal, the members took serious note of the state government's apathy towards the ADCs.

The meeting stated that the so-called "devolution of powers' to the ADCs is only for namesake that served as a scapegoat for the state government.

It simply lacks the spirit of a local self-Government.

Members opined that non-devolution of adequate and factual powers and the state government's apathy towards the ADCs has hampered the implementation of District Councils Act and Rules in letter and intent.

Before District Council election-2010 was held, the congress led SPF government had made public announcements on several occasions that the ADCs will be endowed with powers not less than those of the ADCs under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.

But in reality, the ADCs have been treated as a small circle of beneficiaries and to some extent, a mere implementing arm of governmental schemes.

The meeting also recalled the memorandum submitted to Smt.

Sonia Gandhi, Hon'ble UPA and NAC Chairperson in matters relating to the empowerment of the ADCs Manipur.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, at the direction of Smt.

Sonia Gandhi, Hon'ble Chairperson, National Advisory Council has sought comments of the state government.

However, the state government remained silent on the subject.

It acts not even bother to answer the comment sought by the Hon'ble UPA and NAC Chairpersn and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Under such conditions, the members opined that to sustain faith in the present congress ruled state government might bear no fruits.

The meeting also expressed strong disappointment against the Government of Manipur, TA and Hills Department for issuing an Executive order requiring its approval to the proceedings of DPC/Screening committee on matters relating to the appointment of Chowkidar-cum-peon.

The meeting resolved that the state government should immediately withdraw the said executive order section 32(3) of the Manipur (Hills Area) District Councils Act, 1971 and Rule No.45 of the Manipur (Hills Area) District Councils Rules, 1972 undoubtedly made the ADCs as the appointing authority.

There is no provision either in the Act or statutory rules requiring approval of the TA and Hills Department, Government of Manipur t the proceedings of DPC/Screening committee.

Further, the Chief Executive, who is appointed by the Governor, is the chairman of the DPC/Selection Committee.

The said Executive order of the state government has made the Chief Executive Officer as Appointing Authority.

The same authority functioning as Selection Committee Chairman and Appointing Authority is against the principles of natural justice.

The said Executive order is a "deterrent" for the Chief Executive Officers of the six ADCs who answered at the pleasure of the Governor.

The state government, instead of empowering the ADCs has made undue interference which hampers the council's administration.

The meeting also expressed strong disappointment against the state government, TA and Hills Department in notifying Office Memorandum dated January 6, 2014 which was published in Manipur Gazette Notification No.38, dated February 5, 2014 in matters relating to the establishment of the Village Development Committee.

The said Office Memorandum was notified only in violation of the District Councils Act and devolution of powers, but it has also threatened the traditional tribal system.

The meeting opined that the state government cannot notify such office Memorandum as most of the matters has already been covered by District Councils Act and subsequent devolution of powers.

The meeting resolved that the concerned authority immediately cancel Office Memorandum, the press release of the ADC Co-Ordination Committee stated.

According to the press note, as members of the six ADCs preferred to stay away from the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in protest against state government's apathy towards the ADCs, the Autonomous District Councils Co-ordination Committee, Manipur is constraint to hold the six ADCs shall neither co-operate with the congress ruled state government nor work in favour of the congress candidate in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, 2014 if the grievances of the six Autonomous District Councils, Manipur are not redressed by March 22, 2014 .

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