Divergent stand on ADC Bill ahead of polls
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: November 01, 2021 -

WITHOUT an iota of doubt, non-tabling of the contentious Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill, 2021 in the last session of the assembly would be the hottest topic in the hill areas as candidates of all the political parties aiming to contest the upcoming elections are certain to look for feasting on the issue.

With tribal organisations cutting across ethnic and political lines unanimous that the Bill recommended by the Hill Areas Committee of the assembly should be discussed for enactment, the ruling BJP and its allies will have to explain and justify reason for not endorsing or causing delay in proper examination of the proposed legislation which is primarily aimed at enhancing legislative and executive powers of the ADCs.

With exception of ministers and MLAs in the coalition government elected from the hill area assembly constituencies preferring to skip the ADC Bill issue up to now, all the candidates intending to contest the upcoming elections under the flag and symbol of the ruling BJP or its alliance partners, not to speak of the opposition parties, have been alleging and interpreting non-tabling of the Bill as testimony of the establishment ignoring sentiment of the hill population.

Such a stand of the intending candidates is on expected lines in view of several tribal civil societies getting increasingly vocal against the government's seemingly indifferent attitude to compassionately consider the Bill. Moreover, it is obvious that as the election date nears the campaigners would be peddling ideas that no government in the state would stand for rights of tribal communities.

That the incumbent government is equally determined to nullify persistent demeaning remarks against it by the candidate aspirants could be conveniently deciphered from chief minister N Biren reiterating that the state government is discussing the ADC Bill with the central government and that it is considering for more autonomy to the ADCs.

Apart from clarifying that certain components of the Bill are beyond the ambit of the state, chief minister N Biren has been candid enough to assert in a government function at Maram village in Senapati district on Saturday that the government of Manipur will work and act as per the provisions of the constitution of India and would always strive to live up to the expectation of the people and their interests.

Nevertheless, it is certain that organisations like ATSUM, which has been spearheading the public movement to denounce non-tabling of the ADC Bill, other hill-based civil societies and political activists wouldn't subscribe to the GM's words of assurance for their ultimate objective is enactment of the Bill into an Act.

Moreover, tribal organisations and influential individuals are certain to belittle N Biren's apparent bid to bring a calming effect on the tribal population as merely playacting and delaying tactics.

Like in all elections, there would be gamut of issues deliberated upon at public platforms and political conventions, but it could be safely stated that the political discourse in the hills for the ensuing five-yearly democratic exercise will be centred on the ADC Bill.

Whether or not the Bill sees the light of the day, only time will tell, but sane person would be hoping that those trying to receive mandate of the people will avoid hate speech and instead make the electors acquainted with the road map for better days.