BJP Morcha urges for paying honorarium to VA members
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, September 14 2014: Vice president of Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP (ST) Morcha, Chandel district, Momo Tanganga has urged the concerned authorities to initiate the payment of remuneration/ allowance/honoraria in favor of members of Village Authority and members of Village Court in the hill areas at the earliest and also appoint Secretaries and chowkidars/peons in order to secure the proper functioning of Village Authority and Village Court.

It may be stated here that Momo had submitted a memorandum regarding the demands to the Chairman of Hill Areas Committee (HAC), Manipur Legislative Assembly, Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur, Principal Secretary, Tribal Affairs & Hills Department, Government of Manipur on August 30, 2014.According to the representation submitted, it was stated that under the provision of the Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas) Act, 1956 every member of Village Authority in the hill areas of Manipur are discharging their official duties as provided under section 16 and 17 of the said Act and members of Village Court are also discharging their official duties under section 17, 19, 31, 33, 41, 43 and 49.But surprisingly, no remuneration/allowance/honoraria were provided to the said members which are a mandatory according to Article 23 of the Constitution of India.

According to Momo Tanganga, members of Village Authority and Village Court are discharging their duties for the benefit of the public and as such they are liable to receive remuneration/allowance/honoraria as mandated under article 23 of the Constitution of India.

Momo also told that that without the assistance of secretary and chowkidar/peon, the Village Authority and Village Court in the hill areas of Manipur cannot run effectively.

Hence, it is a necessity to appoint the said posts just like it is done in the valley under the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 (Manipur Act No.26 of 1994) and Manipur Gram Panchayat and Zilla Parishad (General) Rules, 1995 .

He also told that the Chairman and the members of Village Authority are elected from among the villagers under section 3 & 7 of the Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas) Act, 1956 and the President and members of Village Court are also appointed under section 19 & 49 (2) of the said Act.

As such they are the representatives of the villagers and are entitled to enjoy remuneration/allowance/honoraria for the services they have rendered to the state.

Stating the facts and circumstances regarding the matter, Momo has appealed to the concerned authorities to look into the matter and provide the necessary remuneration in favor of the members of Village Authority and the members of Village Court at the earliest in the larger interest of the public.

Comment