Disunity responsible for Sadar Hills limbo: Ngamthang
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 05 2013 : IFC Minister Ngamthang Haokip has categorically stated that it is due disunity among different communities of Sadar Hills that the long standing demand of upgrading Sadar Hills into full fledged revenue district remains unfulfilled till date.

Ngamthang Haokip was speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony for construction of administration complex for Sadar Hills ADC at Kangpokpi today.

The building whose estimated cost is Rs 4.60 crores would be constructed by the Manipur Tribal Development Corporation.

When Rishang Keishing was the Chief Minister of Manipur, the State Cabinet agreed to upgrade Sadar Hills into a full fledged revenue district for administrative convenience, he recounted.

Even the differences and controversies on the boundary were also resolved.

The State Cabinet then gave its consent to take the outer boundaries of Saikul, Kangpokpi and Saitu-Gamphazol Assembly segments as boundary of the proposed district of Sadar Hills.

Sadar Hills has all the ingredients of a full fledged revenue district but the people's long standing demand remains unfulfilled till date.

People need to ponder why the Sadar Hills cannot be upgraded to a full fledged revenue even as it has all the structures and features of a district, Ngamthang Haokip said.

Minister Ngamthang at the foundation stone laying ceremony

He asserted that the people's demand could not be realised due to lack of unity among different communities living in Sadar Hills area.

Pointing out that Sadar Hills is inhabited by different communities, the IFC Minister advised all not to speak or act in the interest of their own communities or clans.

In the course of the demand for Sadar Hills district, many people have lost their lines while many Government properties and offices have been destroyed.

Such violent approach should be avoided in future.

He also called upon all the people to extend all possible cooperation towards construction and completion of the administrative building in time.

It is the people of Sadar Hills which would be benefited from the building.

Manipur Tribal Development Corporation Chairman Manga Vaiphei stated that maximum efforts would be put in to complete the administrative building in time.

Claiming that boundary of the Sadar Hills district has been identified and cleared, Manga Vaiphei expressed his hope that Sadar Hills district would be officially declared soon.

Sadar Hills ADC Chairman Haokholal Hangshing commended the Government for sanctioning necessary fund to construct the administrative building.

Even as the Government has devolved powers to the ADCs concerning 26 departments, the ADCs have not been authorised to exercise these powers on ground.

Along with devolution of administrative powers, the Government need to devolve financial powers too, Haokholal Hangshing said.