Imphal Jun 8 UNA NNN : The Autonomous District Council Co-ordination Committee (ADCCC), an apex of members of the autonomous district councils in Manipur Saturday alleged that state government has failed to keep its promises of devolving powers to the ADCs.
The committee further threatened of a series of agitations to press the state government for speeding up the process of devolution of powers to the six ADCs in hill districts of Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong, Churachandpur and Chandel.
Three years had already completed since the elections to the six ADCs held, no power has been devolved lamented secretary Hemjathang Khongsai of the committee, during a press conference held at Manipur Press Club, Imphal today.
The secretary said “Despite completion of three years of being elected, the proposed and necessary devolution of power which has been the point of contention of the elected members has not been devolved till date.”
The absence of executive powers has rendered the ADC members powerless and redundant. Despite repeated appeals and submission of memorandums to the chief minister and the Governor on varius occasions, no concrete steps had been taken up so far, he lamented.
This has prompted the committee, consisting of 26 members each from 6 districts making a total of 156 members to resolve and demand the state government to discuss and come out with a favourable decision in the upcoming monsoon session of the Assembly that would commenced from the June 10.
The elected members were still confident of a satisfactory outcome for such a long time after government had promises for devolution of powers to the ADCs.
He further threatened to launch a series of agitations and non-cooperation form of protest which would include giving up of their titles and designations, seeking the support of those who have vehemently opposed the election and returning to their respective areas to carry out the next step in their protest in consultation with the various groups and individuals whose point of opposing the ADC election has begun to be shown as true.
M Ngalangzar, convenor and Ram Wangdin, member of the committee attended the press conference.
All the elected 156 members of the six ADCs, who had encountered quite a lot of grave situations amidst threats from various circles for being candidates for the ADC elections and the threats they faced in the post-elections period , have been befooled by the Governor, Hemjathang accused.
Although the state Cabinet has decided to arrange a separate budget for the ADCs, the people have seen it only in the media, he alleged.
Convenor of the committee, M Lanja also expressed unhappiness over the remarks of the Education minister that the RMSA and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) schemes must not be allowed to implement by the ADCs though many Acts mention that on top of the 26 Government Departments, several Central funded schemes may be implemented by the ADCs.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/adc-members-demand-devolution-of-powers/
