IMPHAL, May 14 MNS Agencies: Deputy chief minister Gaikhangam rubbished today the allegation that tribal ministers and MLAs will be left powerless if power is decentralised to the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs).
Gaikhangam was addressing the inaugural function of a two-day seminar on “Rights of District Councils and their Function” at Tribal Research Centre, Chingmeirong here.
He pointed out that absorbing in illegal activities while demanding rights harm the Government’s developmental activities and noted that the state will be able to join the development pace if different hierarchies like the members and other machineries beginning from Panchayat level to Parliament level work with earnestness.
He said, “The allegation that all the tribal ministers and MLAs will be dwindled if power is given to the District Councils is groundless.”
The Deputy Chief Minister, also holding the Home portfolio, then added that after a long 20 years gap the state Government had conducted the District Councils election recently, but it is really unfortunate that it has been unable to make changes in the old system in the councils that existed before the election.
The Government is considering making changes in the system, he also informed. All the chairmen and members of the District Councils expressed unhappiness over the Government’s repeated negative response towards decentralisation of power to the councils even after more than one year has elapsed since the election.The issue of protecting tribal rights in Manipur was deliberated today by tribal intellectuals on the first day of the two-day seminar today christened as “District Council & It’s Function In The Protection of Tribal Rights” organized by the Tribal Research Institute, government of Manipur at the Auditorium of the Institute at Chingmeirong, Imphal.
Deputy chief minister of Manipur Gaikhangam said the government is putting its maximum effort to uphold the tribal peoples’ rights and recalled how the elections to the Autonomous District Council (ADC) was held three years ago after a gap of 20 years. “Conducting of elections to the ADCs was part of the state government’s effort to uphold the tribal peoples’ rights,” said the deputy chief minister.
Gaikhangam then said that the elections to the Village Authorities in the hill districts are about to complete. “Once these elections to the Village Authorities are done, the government will find it easier to function while ensuring better governance with a shift to a participatory and decentralized system of government,” the deputy chief minister added.
Sadar Hills ADC chairman Haokholal Hangshing, Senapati district ADC chairman R.S. Henry, Churachandpur district ADC chairman V. Langkhanpau Guite, Ukhrul district ADC chairman John Raleng, Tamenglong district ADC chairman G. Soihem Haomei and Chandel district ADC chairman Lhukhosei Zou also participated in the two-day seminar as guests of honours. SK Dev Verman IAS, Commissioner of Tribal Affairs and Hills, government of Manipur also attended the programme as the function president.
Resource persons of the seminar are Advocate Siamzading Valte and Advocate R. Daniel, Manipur High Court.
Dr. Vareso Ningshen Associate Professor of LMS Law College, Imphal and Dr. R. Horam Associate Professor moderated the event.
Meanwhile, on the sideline of the programme, deputy chief minister Gaikhangam who also holds the portfolio of Home affairs urged the media not to magnify the ‘quit notice’ of Churachandpur district. He dismissed that it was done by a handful of miscreants. He was referring to the leaflets asking the Meiteis to quit Churachandpur few days ago.
Gaikhangam then reiterated that those police personnel indulged in drug trafficking be dealth with drastic actions.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/devolution-of-power-will-not-disturb-power-structure-gaikhangam/