The Tribal Youths Council Manipur has submitted a representation to the Chairman of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC), seeking adoption of a resolution to recommend amendment of the Presidential Order, 1972 governing the Committee.
According to the representation submitted on May 5, the council requested that the HAC formally adopt a resolution endorsing a memorandum earlier submitted to the President of India and forward it for consideration to amend the existing framework of the Presidential Order dated June 20, 1972. The TYCM had submitted the memorandum on April 15, 2026, proposing that the HAC be vested with legislative, financial, executive, land-related, and customary powers.
The council stated that the HAC, constituted under Article 371C of the Constitution of India, remains a statutory body with only recommendatory authority under the current Presidential Order. It noted that despite being in force for over five decades, the Order has not undergone any amendments to expand the Committee’s powers.
In its submission, the TYCM argued that the absence of binding authority limits the effectiveness of the HAC, as its recommendations are subject to the discretion of higher authorities and may not necessarily lead to implementation. It maintained that such a framework constrains decision-making and hampers developmental initiatives in hill areas.
The council further contended that strengthening the powers of the HAC through amendment of the Presidential Order would be essential to ensure more effective governance, protection of tribal interests, and accelerated development in the hill regions of Manipur.
The representation urged the HAC to take up the matter and forward its recommendation to the President for necessary action.