Cong MLA flays delay in holding ADC polls
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 10 2021: Opposition MLA D Korungthang lashed out at the Government for "suppressing" and "withholding" the elections to the Autonomous District Councils during the Budget Session today.

During the discussion regarding the Demands for Grants of the Department of Tribal Affairs and Hills, D Korungthang hinted that the Government has disregarded the values of the Constitutional institutions (ADCs) by withholding the elections.

The Autonomous District Councils are grassroots level institutions created under Article 371 (C) of the Constitution in the hill areas.

However, instead of holding the elections to the ADCs in time, the Government is keeping it in abeyance, he said.

On education in the hill districts, the MLA said that there are five ashram schools in the hill districts.

However these schools are failing without adequate staff and the attention required.

Seeking the attention of the Government towards the ashram schools, he said the Budget Estimates has earmarked Rs 666.73 lakh for salary of the staff out of a total amount of Rs 679.23.However, these schools are facing acute shortage of staff.

All the teachers of the ashram schools will not be able to man one single school, he said, asking whether these schools are existing for the benefit of students or not.

Further asking the Government what steps have been taken up to improve the ashram schools, he said that if these ashram schools have been merged with the Eklavya schools or they are being managed by the Department of Education.

He also alleged that various schemes taken up by the Department of Tribal Affairs and Hills lack transparency.

There is "bias" in the selection of beneficiaries of various schemes.

"Fewer beneficiaries are selected from the areas of the Opposition," he said.

Korungthang also asked if the Government has taken up steps to institute offices of the Tribal Affairs Hills Department in the newly created districts.

During the discussion, Opposition MLA Surjakumar Okram also sought the attention of the Government and urged it to reserve seats for women in the Autonomous District Councils under Article 243 .

On utilisation of funds, he claimed there has been an incident where a person who filed an RTI (Right To Information) seeking details of utilisation of ADC funds was threatened by an armed outfit.

He then sought the attention of the Government regarding electrification in the hill districts.

The Power Department with Manipur Renewable Energy Development Agency (MANIREDA) may collaborate for electrification, he said and also urged the Government to improve educational infrastructure in the hill districts.

Asking what development schemes have been implemented in the hill districts, MLA Kh Joykisan also said that in 2020 September, the Department of Tribal Affairs and Hills had called many e-tenders, but the work orders have not been issued till today.

He sought the attention of the Government and asked what steps have been taken up by the Manipur Building and Construction Workers Welfare Board for the labourers and their children.

Comment