Imphal, February 24: Even as elections to District Councils have been scheduled on February 25 and 28, ex-MP (Rajya Sabha) and ex-MLA BD Behring has pointed out several alleged loopholes and incompatibility of statistics regarding the number of villages listed as per 2001 census and those listed in the electoral roll revision of Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies conducted in January this year.

According to a press release issued by the ex-MP, the number of villages under Chandel autonomous district is 351 according to 2001 census and 494 as per electoral revision.

For churachandpur district, the figures stand at 540 and 570 respectively, for Ukhrul at 198 and 230, for Sadar Hills at 491 and 509 and for Tamenglong the number of villages according to 2001 census is 171 and 203 as per electoral roll revision.

For Senapati autonomous district, the total number of villages as per the electoral roll revision is 147. The former MP also decried that the six Autonomous District Councils have been empowered to exercise just 17 list of powers and functions while the Panchayats in the valley area have been empowered to exercise 29 list of powers.

Observing that the honorarium/allowance of members under District Council Act 1971 was fixed at Rs 800 per month, BD Behring asserted that the meagre amount of honorarium should be increased in tune with the changing time and situation.

He further alleged that fund for conducting District Council election is not included in the State budget.

Citing these alleged loopholes and incompatible statistics, the ex-MP asserted that the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act of 1971 should be amended so as to facilitate peaceful, fair and judicious election.

Meanwhile, a notification issued by Principal Secretary (Hills) PC Lawmkunga has declared that draft electoral rolls will be published on March 1. With the last date of receipt of claims/objections fixed on March 8, the final electoral rolls will be published on March 18. According to the notification, the last date of filing nomination is March 31 and date of scrutiny April 2.The last date of withdrawal of candidates is April 4. Votes will be counted on April 30 and May 1, it mentioned.

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