GuwahatiA 24-hour bandh was called on Thursday in the hill districts of Manipur after the All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) did not meet their demand for the draft Autonomous District Councils (ADC) Amendment Bill 2021. Introduced in the ongoing session of the State Legislative Assembly.
The ADC Bill was recommended by the Hill Area Committee (HAC) – which is empowered to oversee the administration and legislation for the hill area. The proposed law seeks greater financial and administrative autonomy in the hilly regions and ensures that they develop at par with the Imphal Valley region of the state.
However, instead of introducing this bill, the BJP government in the state introduced two others – Manipur (Hill Areas) Zilla Parishads.th and 7th Amendment Bill – Leading to a call for closure.
“It is our humble appeal that the Sixth and Seventh Amendment Bill, 2022 of the Manipur (Hill Area) District Councils Bill, 2022 be laid on the table of the Legislative Assembly because [they do not] Follow the due process and dilute the power and function of the HAC,” ATSUM, All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM), and Kuki Students’ Organization (KSO) said in a letter to the HAC on Thursday.
He said the agitation would be intensified till the demands were not met.
Police in Manipur on Tuesday arrested five working members of the ATSUM after a 24-hour bandh was announced. On Thursday, protests erupted in several parts of the state including Churachandpur and Senapati districts over the issue.
ThePrint reached out to state Tribal Affairs Minister Letpao Haokip via call and text for a comment. The report will be updated upon receipt of a response.
“We are trying to resolve differences with the agitating party,” cabinet minister and Naga People’s Front MLA Awangboo Numai told ThePrint. We are trying to come to an agreement with the demands and whatever discussions may be held.
What is the ADC (Amendment) Bill 2021?
Enacted in 1971, the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act included provisions for the creation of autonomous district councils in the tribal-populated hill districts of the state.
However, residents of Manipur’s hilly regions, which are largely inhabited by tribal groups such as the Nagas and Kukis, have for decades alleged that their development is neglected, especially in comparison to the Meitei-populated Imphal Valley. It has been blamed for various shortcomings of the Act, due to which it has been subjected to several amendments.
In August last year, the HAC, a body comprising 18 MLAs from tribal hill districts, proposed the ADC Amendment Bill 2021. The HAC proposed various changes in the law to give the body more autonomy in budgeting, planning and management. Administration of hilly areas.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, however, questioned whether the bill was constitutional and whether the state had the authority to pass such a law.
What is the option?
Manipur Tribal Affairs Minister Letpao Haokip launches Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councilsth and 7th Despite the amendment bill not being on their agenda in the assembly on Tuesday.
The bills seem to differ from some of the proposals in the ADC Amendment Bill.
For example, the Manipur (Hill Areas) Zilla Parishad (Sixth Amendment) Bill states that the Government of Manipur may, “by notification in the Official Gazette, determine from time to time the number of members in each Zilla Parishad”.
The Manipur (Hill Areas) Zilla Parishad (7th Amendment) Bill further proposes that a Delimitation Commission be constituted every 10 years to determine the number and boundaries of constituencies for the Zilla Parishad so that the population of all the constituencies is more or less the same. be the same”
The Commission will consist of a Chairperson (a retired High Court Judge) appointed by the Governor “in consultation with the State Government and the Committee on Hill Areas”.
However, as per the 2021 Bill, such a commission should be set up “as and when required” and the state government will not be involved in its appointment.
Additionally, 7th The amendment bill also states that the HAC “shall prepare a consolidated estimate of income and expenditure for all district councils for the next financial year and submit the same to the Governor in accordance with the procedure for further submission to the State Government.” prescribed by the State Government in this regard”.
ANSAM general secretary AC Thotso alleged: “They (the state government) have to oversee the power and functioning of the Autonomous District Council – it is the hegemony that has been extended and extended to the hill areas. They seek to weaken the Hill Area Committee. Trying and then they prepare the bill according to the wishes and desires of the influential community.
(Edited by Aswari Singh)
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