ADC Member decries tribal exclusive instruction
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 10 2018: Some ADC Members have expressed strong resentment against the instruction that the amount of Rs 143.77croreawardedbythe 14th Finance Commission during the current financial year 2017-18 for the six Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) of the State should not be utilised in non-tribal areas.

The amount of Rs 143.77 was sanctioned by the Government of India as grant-in-aid for all civic development in the hill areas of the State and these include water supply, maintenance of community assets, sewerage and solid management, storm water drainage, maintenance of roads, street lighting, burial and cremation grounds etc.

Speaking to media persons today, Sadar Hills ADC Executive Member Vikash Basnate contended that the grant-in-aid should benefit all the communities settled in hill areas as per the Government of India's guideline.

However, as the fund reached the Government of Manipur, there arose a new proposition that the grant-in-aid amount should benefit only tribals excluding all non-tribals, Vikash said.

Similar funds awarded earlier by the 12th Finance Commission and 13th Finance Commission were utilised for the welfare of all communities settled in the hills.

There are 35,000 to 40,000 non-tribal people within Sadar Hills ADC.

Likewise, there are sizeable non-tribal populations within other ADCs.

If development programmes should be taken up only in tribal villages with the particular amount while excluding all neighbouring non-tribal villages, then what is the alternative for the non-tribal villages, Vikash asked.

ADC Members were elected not only by tribal voters but also by non-tribal voters including Nepalese and Meiteis, he said.

If the State Government has already decided to utilise the particular fund only in tribal areas while excluding all non-tribal areas, the same decision needs a thorough review immediately, he added.