“Hold ADC elections once pandemic situation improves,” caretaker chairman tells Govt

“Hold ADC elections once Covid situation improves,” caretaker chairman tells Govt

 

R LESTER MAKANG

 “We want the state government of Manipur to hold the long-pending Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) election as soon as the Covid-19 pandemic situation improves,” Dr. Yaronsho Ngalung said on Friday, soon after taking charge of the Ukhrul ADC administration as its caretaker chairman.

 For this to happen, he appealed to the government to make necessary arrangements and remain prepared to reinstate the grassroots governance once the pandemic situation shows improvement.

 He said that unavoidable circumstances have impelled him to assume the position of caretaker chairman, which is to fill the current vacuum being created in the council due to pending elections.

 “But this is only a stop gap measure and I stand for early elections to the ADCs,” he declared.

 Expressing concern over the long-pending elections, he said that the fate of grassroots governance in the hill districts is at stake. The tenure of the last ADCs expired in November last year and there has been power vacuum in the councils ever since without elections.

 To formally welcome Dr Yaronsho Ngalung as its caretaker chairman, the UADC administration organised a felicitation programme at its Phungreitang office campus in Ukhrul town on Friday.

 As part of the felicitation, Rev Mayongsing Ngalung, pastor of Viewland Baptist Church, administered the act of blessing for the new caretaker chairman.  

 Dr Yaronsho Ngalung has been assigned to take care of Ukhrul ADC administration until a new body of the council is elected. 

 This is in line with the state government's order on May 17 which called for an interim measure to appoint all the existing chairmen as caretaker chairmen to look after the affairs of the district councils until the ADCs elections are held.

 While thanking the council administration for the warm reception, Dr Yaronsho Ngalung sought the cooperation of the council staffs and officials and support from all the former councillors in ensuring smooth functioning of the council. 

The caretaker chairman then lamented the state government has manipulated the untied grant under the 15th finance commission (FC) during the absence of the ADCs.

“Of course, the fund is being diverted to meet the pandemic-related needs but the state government is doing this without consulting the councils, which is a gross violation of the norms,” he contended. 

He said that there are stipulated guidelines for utilisation of the funds under ADCs. He then urged the state government not to repeat the same blunder in respect of the tied grant that is yet to be released. 

Meanwhile, the district administration observed a one minute silence as a mark of respect to its three departed staffers who lost their lives due to Covid-19.

UADC CEO Polly Makan, ADM Ukhrul David Kashungnao, DI Hawung Ronnui, UADC former vice chairman M Isaac and former council members Vs Paothing, Hs Ngamsung, Edmund Chiphang, Themreishang and Ukhrul NPF leaders among others attended the felicitation ceremony which was held in strict compliance with Covid safety protocols.