IMPHAL, May 14: State Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today inaugurated a two day seminar on “District Council & its function in the protection of Tribal Rights” at the Tribal Research Institute Auditorium, Chingmeirong.
The seminar is being organized by the Tribal Research Institute, Manipur.
Addressing the function, State Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam said in order to bring development in the state, there is a need for equal development in both the hills and valley districts.
Elected representatives of the District Councils should also work honestly in accordance with the wants and desire of the general public. Everybody should understand their own duties to bring development in the state, he said before adding that the government, considering the development and welfare of the people has been paying much attention to the district councils.
Continuing further, he said one can witness developmental differences in the hills and valley districts due to certain geographical barriers.
He continued there are several developmental programs under the UPA and the state government is trying to deliver them to the Autonomous District Councils at the earliest.
The government is also trying to improve the conditions of the schools and hospitals in the District Council for their development under the 13th Finance Commission, the Dy Chief Minister said before adding that such actions will be implemented once the 14th Finance Commission is approved.
Due to lack of funds, the state government is unable to expedite developmental works, he said and further appealed to the people to support the government in its quest to develop the hill areas of the state.
The Dy Chief Minister further invited innovative ideas from ADC committee members, officials and leaders for development in their areas.
He continued, people should not only blame the MLAs and Minister of the hill areas for the lack of development.
He further appealed to the people to support the government in order to strengthen the ADCs and enable decentralization of power to the councils to work freely with transparency towards development of their areas.
Gaikhangnam further urged the people to apprise the government through their MLAs about their needs and requirement.
The ADCs in the state is different from the ADCs present in the other states of the country and as such what has been implemented in the other ADCs cannot be applied here in Manipur, he said.
“District Council in not a department, it is an institution”, he said and added the people’s perception that the District Councils are departments is wrong.
He said there are six ADCs in the hill areas of the state. The ADCs should be allowed to work based on actions and discussions for the welfare of the people.
Advocate Manipur High Court, Siamzading Valte said that organizing such seminars is good for the welfare of the society.
He further said there is a need for a separate Land law for the tribals of the state and added that the ADC has an important role in the development of the people.
The day was also attended by all six ADC chairmen.