IT News
Imphal, Nov 20:
People’s Movement for Resurgent Manipur (PMRM) strongly objected the proposed Autonomous District Council Bill 2021 terming it as an attempt to break Manipur.
A statement said that the organization has been watching every move of sycophant leaders from the hills and their nexus with student organizations. With regards to the proposed Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill 2021, PMRM strongly objects to the political blunder committed by members of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC). People’s Movement for Resurgent Manipur (PMRM) will stand firm and oppose the proposal by few hill leaders to break Manipur. The organization has been watching every move of sycophant leaders from the hills and their nexus with student organizations. With regards to the proposed Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill 2021, PMRM strongly objects to the political blunder committed by member of Hill Areas Committee (HAC).
In the proposed ADC Bill 2021, there is proposal for making HAC the centripetal power for Hill Areas of Manipur totally divorced from the Manipur State Legislative Assembly (MSLA). At the same time, it is ambivalent regarding the nature of the HAC.
The proposed draft Bill needs to be clear, whether HAC is a local body or a parallel Government. In the first instance, if it is a local body, the demand for a Chief Secretary is unjustified. Secondly, if it envisions HAC as a parallel body or a separate administrative machinery, it implies that there is the need for a Presidential Order to make it happen, in other words, amend the 1972 Order.
The proposal contradicts the purpose of HAC. It does not relate to “general questions of policy and legislation”. Again, the proposal for Hill Secretariat amounts to obliteration of the Department of Tribal Affairs & Hills. It needs another amendment either in the Rules of Business or structure of administration of Manipur.
Also, proposal for bringing Hill House Tax under the purview of ADC demands the need for amending the Manipur Hill Areas (House Tax) Act, second amendment Act 2003. And lastly, the proposed bill envisions a radical change in terms of functioning, for example, a parallel hill government though it continues to use the word “local body” and more autonomy to ADC, it raises issues of amending a host of prevailing Acts and Order.
Therefore, MSLA is not the competent authority at the moment to introduce the proposed Bill. Following Article 5 of the Fourth Schedule of the 1972 Order, sending the proposed Bill to the Governor would be the most sensible option. PMRM wants to reiterates that the Hill Areas Committee members headed by Leishiyo Keishing and his company that the HAC Act 1972 was formed primarily to promote unity between the people of the Hill Areas and other areas of the State.
PMRM wants to asked these leaders what steps have they done to bring unity among different ethnic communities? What significant developments or campaigned have these HAC members done for the valley people if the very foundation of HAC was to endeavor unity and development of the State? Hiring some student organizations and calling Total Shutdown in the Hill areas exposes the power hungry intentions of these leaders. Why are they misguiding the innocent people from the hills?
Politicians like Leishiyo Keishing and Alfred Kanngam Arthur have created this proposed bill with sole intention to woo voters in the hills. Their ego to regain power led to this controversial ADC Bill. They have even started their election campaign using this Bill.
These leaders knew well that the Bill won’t be passed in the Manipur State Legislative Assembly since adoption of proposed ADC Bill 2021 is not within the power of Manipur State Legislative Assembly.
Despite all this fact, why they demand the Bill to be tabled in the last hour of the government? Why they wait for long 5 years? It is simply election gimmick by these selfish leaders from the hills. They are spreading lies and propaganda and instigating hatred for the present government among the hill brethrens.
So far, this government has been successful in removing the road blocks and for the first time, the common people in the hills of Manipur have experienced the governance through Go to Hill 1.0 and Go to Hills 2.0. People have started to trust this government and the gap has been narrowed down between valley and Hills.
The real motive of bringing this ADC Bill was that present government has utilized funds meant for development of the hills. However, their hollow propaganda has been busted and it was crystal clear that more than 40 percent of the budget has been allocated in the hills alone.. Just to remain in power and get votes by misleading voters and future generation, these MLAs are misinterpreting the Hill Areas Committee Act of 1971. They are hiding the real motives of Centre and the State Legislative Assembly for the sole purpose of HAC Act.
It is clearly mentioned that HAC Act is a recommending body, not an executive body. Like every act, this Act is a standing committee of Manipur State Assembly. HAC members are hiding that this very act is similar to any Public Account Committee (PAC) in the State Assembly or both Houses of the Parliament.
HAC was given a Constitutional protections and nothing more than a mere PAC in the State Assembly. Why then, HAC members and few politicians are spreading lies and propaganda against the government?
The PMRM however thanked every section of the hill which strongly stands against the Total Shutdown by ATSUM. Our organization is happy to see the steps taken by Joint Tribe Student Association (JTSA), Thadou Student Association (Tengnoupal Branch), All Inpui Student Union (AISU), Liyangmei Katamai Rongwadi (LNKR), Rongmei Naga Student Organisation (RNSO), Zoumi Student Federeation (ZSF) GHQ and Zeme Student Organisation Manipur (ZSOM) for standing with the people of Manipur.
