Kangpokpi CSOs demand discharge of full powers to DC, SP

From Our Correspondent

Kangpokpi | Oct 29

Almost a year after it was granted district status, complete powers and functions remain to be discharged to Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi’s deputy commissioner and superintendent of police, civil society organisations have alleged.

On December 8 last year, then chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh had created seven new districts in the state, including the 45-years-old Sadar Hills, now Kangpokpi district. The next morning its first DC and SP assumed office.

But various civil society organisations in a joint-meeting with the district at Motbung on Sunday alleged the absence of necessary powers and functions, especially District Rural Development Agency, power of district election officer to DC and full powers to SP, adding that their non-implementation by the state government has kept the district administration handicapped.

Participants of the meeting said they want to move ahead like other districts for their development and welfare but are held back by the government. They resolved to serve an ultimatum to the state government regarding the issue.

While briefing media persons on behalf of the district and its CSOs, General Secretary of United Welfare Committee Tonglen Khongsai said that with the BJP government talking much about development of hill districts, the hill people of Manipur have soaring hopes of meaningful development.

But the yet-to-be-formed DRDA, he said,  is a principal organ at district level to manage and oversee the implementation of different anti-poverty programmes of the Ministry of Rural Development, and also serves as a supporting and facilitating organisation with a very effective role as a catalyst in development.

“Apart from DRDA, deputy commissioner who is to be conferred with the powers of district election officer as per section 13 AA of the Representation of People Act, 1950 and the standing instructions of the ECI still remained without designation of the same”, Khongsai said.

He said the non-conferment of DEO powers to deputy commissioner is utter disregard to the very principles in which the new districts were created.

The UWC General Secretary added that despite of having full-fledged superintendent of police, sufficient police force is yet to be delivered and enough police stations are also yet to be opened.

Even transfer and posting powers have not been deferred to the SP, he said.

Considering all such hiccups, Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi and its CSOs have decided to serve an ultimatum to the state government for implementation of all the inevitable necessary powers and functions, especially formation of DRDA, discharge of DEO powers to DC and transfer and posting powers to SP before November 8, UWC general Secretary added.

He said that if the government fails to fulfil the legitimate demand within the stipulated timeframe, the district and its CSOs will lead the public to launch a severe agitation against the government, which will be solely responsible for any untoward incident.

He also asked the state government to implement and disburse the 100 days’ wages of MGNREGA scheme equally in both hills and valley without any bias.