IMPHAL July 7: The newly elected Ukhrul District Autonomous District Council Members of Naga Peoples Front (NPF) led 18-member team along with the lone BJP and Independent ADC Members of the district met the Governor today during which they expressed several anomalies and appeals.
They sought intervention of the Governor to expedite the swearing in procedures of the newly elected Autonomous District Council Members of the State.
The Governor gave us a patient hearing of our grievances and positively assured us his support, said the Ukhrul District designated ADC Chairman, Dr Yaronso Ngalung during a press meet at the NPF office, Dewlahland.
`Oath taking for the newly elected members of six ADCs has been delayed for almost a month despite declaring the result on June 11. This is a clear violation of the election notification which clearly states that all election related procedures should be completed by June 17`, he lamented.
He continued that oath taking has to be conducted in the respective district head quarters and elected members should also function from their respective districts.
This will increase our proximity with the people we represent and will boost our performances towards progressive development, he added.
Reiterating that the Governor had been appealed to exercise his discretionary power by invoking the Article 371/C to nominate the ADC members in consultation with the Hill Area Committee, the ADC Chairman said that unlike other states, the Governor has special responsibilities towards the hill people whenever his intervention is required.
Such nomination is usually done after the formation of government in a parliamentary practice. Hence such procedures can be adopted, he maintained.
He made a fervent appeal to the Chief Minister to decide the date for the swearing in ceremony of the newly elected ADC Members so as to enable them to start functioning effectively.
We do not see any rational in delaying this since each district has already decided on the formation. The government is requested to issue notification of deadline to elect the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson at the earliest, he said.
Besides these there has to be certain arrangement for Administrative Block and Quarters for the elected Members to station and perform from their respective districts. For Ukhrul district, the block and quarters are under construction. However, we have also requested the district administration to arrange a temporary transit stay for us, he said.
The third amendment of the Manipur Hill Areas Act, 2008 has several loopholes and needs to be re-amended, he pointed out, adding that there is no timeframe for forming the council and there are also contradictions on protocols where a Deputy Commissioner can supersede the ADC Members.