The Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM), General Headquarters, has submitted a memorandum to the President of India through the Governor of Manipur, calling for a comprehensive amendment to the Presidential Order dated June 20, 1972, concerning the Hill Areas Committee (HAC), Manipur, under Article 371C of the Constitution.
In the memorandum submitted on July 7, 2025, TYCM urged the Union Government to grant legislative, financial, and executive powers to the Hill Areas Committee, which presently exercises only recommendatory functions. The organisation also called for the designation of the Chairman of the HAC as the authority in charge of tribal welfare in the state, in place of the existing Cabinet Minister for Tribal Affairs & Hills. TYCM further demanded the establishment of a dedicated HAC Secretariat with sufficient staff to ensure efficient functioning.
The Council noted that the original Presidential Order was issued by then-President V.V. Giri to safeguard and promote the development of Manipur’s hill tribal communities. However, they expressed concern that, even after 53 years, no amendment has been made to the order, rendering it ineffective and outdated in addressing present-day needs.
The memorandum highlighted that unlike several other constitutional provisions and orders which have been amended over time to meet evolving circumstances, the 1972 Presidential Order has remained static. The TYCM pointed out that the absence of legislative and financial powers has rendered the HAC powerless to effect any substantial development in the hill areas.
According to the Council, the Committee’s recommendations are not binding and are subject to the discretion of other authorities, making them ineffectual in practice. They questioned how meaningful development could be expected in tribal areas under such a framework.
Citing Article 164 of the Constitution, TYCM drew attention to the existence of dedicated ministers for tribal welfare in other states such as Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha. It argued that Manipur lacks any constitutional provision for such a minister, making it logical and necessary for the Chairman of the HAC to be officially recognised as the authority responsible for tribal welfare.
The memorandum further suggested that such a step would allow the HAC to function independently, formulate policies, and implement laws tailored to the needs and aspirations of Manipur’s hill tribal communities.
The Council also raised concerns over the inadequate institutional structure of the HAC, pointing out that since its inception, the Committee has operated without its own administrative staff and has relied solely on its Chairman. Under such conditions, they questioned how the Committee could be expected to fulfill its responsibilities or bring about any meaningful change in the hill regions.
TYCM appealed with a renewed call for the Government of India to amend the existing framework in the spirit of justice, equality, and empowerment of the tribal population of Manipur.