Uproar over non-tabling of ADC Bill JTSA demands resignation of tribal MLAs

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 16 : The Joint Tribe Students’ Association (JTSA) has demanded resignation of all the tribal MLAs on moral ground for their alleged indifference and inaction on the Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill 2021.  
The JTSA comprises All Inpui Students’ Union (AISU), Liangmei Naga Katimai Ruangdi (LNKR), Rongmei Naga Students’ Organisation Manipur (RNSOM) and Zeme Students’ Organisation Manipur (ZSOM).
Speaking to media persons at Daani Hotels and Resorts Private Limited, Thangmeiband Maisnam Leikai today, JTSA joint secretary Jeanthui Panmei said that the Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill 2021 is a Bill long awaited by the hill people of Manipur.
All the hill people had high hopes that the Bill would be tabled in the State Assembly session held last month. However, contrary to the general expectation and much to the disappointment of the hill people, none of the tribal MLAs moved the Bill, Jeanthui Panmei rued.
All the MLAs elected from the hill districts must resign on moral ground for their utter irresponsibility and failure to pay heed to the people’s voice and grievances, he asserted.
Noting that the ADCs had been dissolved for quite a long time but the State Government issued notifications some days back for recruitment to several posts  under the ADCs, the JTSA joint secretary decried that this particular step of the State Government goes against the common interest of tribal people.
Expressing strong objection against the Government’s move, Jeanthui Panmei appealed to the Government to carry out the recruitment only after election and formation of new ADCs in all the hill districts.
Further appealing to the State Government to issue a notification within a week and put the recruitment drive on hold, the joint secretary said that JTSA would be compelled to take recourse to any form of democratic agitation if the Government does not respond to their appeal.
While appreciating the State Government for implementing various development projects in the State, he lamented that many projects taken up in Tamenglong are being delayed.
Maintaining that uniform development should be witnessed in reality, not in speech and paper only, Jeanthui Panmei appealed to the Chief Minister to closely supervise and monitor work quality as well as progress of all development works implemented in Tamenglong so that there is no lapse of funds as reported in connection with the Hill Area Development Programme (HADP) works.
Even though the Chief Minister inaugurated a multi-crore water project at Carpentry, Tamenglong when he last visited the district headquarters, the water project is still incomplete, he decried.
There are reports of leakage of water reservoirs and laying of pipes in improper manner. Such multi-crore project should be closely monitored by the department concerned and ensured that it is completed in time with due emphasis on the qualitative aspect, he continued.
The JTSA has been continually monitoring the quality and progress of Khongsang-Tamenglong Road but no agency of the State Government could be seen supervising the road construction work, he added seeking immediate attention of the Chief Minister.