Congress demands revocation of HAC resolution BJP Govt lampooned for not holding ADC elections

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 18 : Asserting that resolution 59 of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) violates the rights of local bodies, the Opposition Congress party has urged all the 20 tribal MLAs who are members of the HAC to revoke the particular resolu- tion.
Speaking to media persons at Congress Bhavan here today, former Minister Samuel Jendai who re-joined Congress recently said that the BJP’s double-engine Government has not been working in accordance with the Constitution.
As reflected in the HAC resolution 59, the BJP Government has been misusing the ADCs as if the ADCs are their properties, he said.    
HAC was set up to look after the welfare of hill people. It is also HAC’s duty to monitor local body elections   in the hill districts, Samuel  Jendai said.
Pointing out that the ADC elections are overdue by four years, he asserted that the recent statement issued by the HAC cannot be implemented.
As per the District Council Act 1971, the five year term can be extended by one year until new District Councils are elected.
Once the extended one year period expires, the authority must initiate due process for holding elections, he said citing the Act.  
Although the State Cabinet adopted resolutions several times to hold ADC elections, the overdue elections have not been held till date. While the Govt has been claiming that due process is underway to hold ADC elections, HAC’s resolution 59 which was issued recently stated that 20-member teams comprising former ADC Members, local self Govt experts, eminent persons, intellectuals and two Govt nominees will run the ADCs.
This initiative of the Government is a direct violation of the hill people’s rights, Samuel Jendai said.
Demanding immediate withdrawal of HAC’s resolution 59, he urged the tribal Ministers and MLAs to see that the overdue ADC elections are held at the earliest.
In the valley, the BJP Government has been violating laws and statutes by entrusting the works of Gram Panchayats to their hand-picked workers, Samuel Jendai added.
MPCC working president Victor Keishing said that the HAC’s resolution 59 is a part of the BJP Government’s ploy to induct their hand-picked men as members of ADCs.
By modifying and replacing certain words, the HAC, which is not authorised to appoint ADC members, has been scheming to induct 18 of their men as caretakers of each ADC together with two Government nominees each, Victor Keishing said.
Asking under which parameter or criteria the 20 individuals would be appointed as caretakers of each ADC, Victor Keishing asserted that Congress party will never accept such manipulation and fraudulence.
Noting that all the 20 members of the HAC are members of ruling parties, he questioned as to why they are unable to persuade the Government to hold ADC elections in time. He urged the 20 tribal MLAs to initiate necessary steps and see that the ADC elections are held at the earliest.