ATRPFM appeals to revoke order of supersession
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 06 2020: The All Tribal Rights' Protection Forum Manipur (ATRPFM) has expressed its displeasure over the order of supersession of November 30, issued by the Additional Chief Secretary, (TA & Hills), Government of Manipur, in contrast to the provisions of the ADC Act, 1971 and its rules made thereunder.

The Tribal Civil organisations and the public have been demanding the conduct of ADC election at the earliest.

Instead, the State Government has dissolved the ADC without any notifications or preparations, said a statement of the ATRPFM.

There is high apprehension that the remaining 50 percent of the funds of ADC under the 15th Finance Commission would be misappropriated, it added.

The Chairman of the ADC concerned shall continue to serve as the caretaker Chairman as well as the signatory of the bank account as per Section 43 of the Act which states that all the money received by the district council shall be held by the district council.

There is no statutory provision to remove the Chairman from the joint signatories and hence the said order is illegal and cannot be upheld in the eyes of law, it added.

The ATRPFM further stated that instead of supersession, the term of office should have been extended, the supersession without any election is the same as extending the ADCs term.

There should be a specific period for supersession and the election must be held before the expiry of the supersession period to reconstitute the council, it added.

ATRPFM urged the State Government to quash the said order issued by the Additional Chief Secretary, (TA & Hill), Government of Manipur and the signatory rights of Chairman should be restored as a caretaker Chairman of the ADCs during the supersession period.

Comment