Training on Implementation 13th Finance Commission at Kamalanagar

Kamalanagar May 18, 2012: A training programme for all the village council Ptresidents and Secretaries of Chakma Autonomous District Council on implementation of the funds under 13th Finance Commission was conducted at Kamalanagar by the Local Administration Department, CADC.

The occasion was graced by Hon’ble Chief Executive Member, CADC as Chief Guest and Hon’ble local MLA, Sri N P Chakma as Guest of Honour.

On the occasion the newly published, “The Chakma Autonomous District Council (Village Councils) (Amendment) Act, 2011” was unveiled and distributed to all the village council presidents.

The amended Act having come to force, will require the Village Councils to strictly observe Section 9(4) of the Act, which underlines that the village council shall be accountable to the Gram Sabha (all registered voters of the village council) for all functions, expenditure, approval of plans and approval of Utilization Certificates while implementing schemes.

The newly amended Act vested the responsibility to conduct elections to the village councils in the State Election Commission, which Sri N P Chakma, Hon’ble MLA hailed as a transformation towards free and fair election. So far the District Council have been carrying out the job.

The Act also provides for the portfolio of Village Council Vice-President and increased the term of the village council to five years from three years.

In keeping with the ethos to politically empower the women, the Act also provides for a reserved seat in the village council for woman.

Mr. K K Tongchangya, Hon’ble CEM remarked, “Going by past track records it has been experienced that Village Council bodies hardly remained stable for long.” He said, “to avoid such crisis it was felt necessary to make the process of no-confidence motion against a Village Council President a little difficult, which we have brought in by this Act.”

NLUP Received At Kamalanagar

Kamalanagar, 11 May 2012: NLUP beneficiaries of Kamalanagar, Baraponsury and Chawngte-P centres, with trade selection under Horticulture Department received their 3rd Installment at Kamalanagar.

The ocassion was graced by the Hon’ble local MLA Sri Nirupam Chakma as Chief Guest.

As many as 523 Horti farmers received their assistance in cash, out of which 440 families were from CADC. Earlier under the 1st and the 2nd Installments each of the beneficiaries got Rs.40,000, Rs.20,000 on each ocassion. This time the 3rd Installment was fixed at Rs.30,000 for each beneficiary.

36th YCA Conference held at Kamalanagar

Kamalanagar April 3: The 3-Day long, 36th Young Chakma Association Annual Conference started today at Kamalanagar, headquarter of Chakma Autonomous District Council on the theme “Aforestation and Health & Sanitation”.

Pu P C Zoramsangliana, Hon’ble Minister, Art & Culture, Mizoram graced the occasion as Chief Guest. He arrived Kamalanagar a day earlier along with his family amidst warm welcome. He and his wife were honoured with Chakma traditional attire and made them wear through out the occasion. He appreciated the YCA about all the welfare activities taken up by them as reflected in their annual report, especially about the agenda of the conference on “Aforestation and Health & sanitation”, which finds so much relevence in the context of the crisis of Global warming. He also made the point that the Chakmas as a community seem to be much more culturally ahead than any other community in Mizoram with the advantage of being proficient in multiple languages. However, he also urged the Chakmas to take interest in learning the Mizo language as well. He assured the people that the area would not suffer from power supply shortage if the many Hydro projects taken up by the Governement get ready for operation. He said, “The CADC Cultural Hall cum Museum, bigger in capacity than the Vanappa Hall of Aizawl, coming up in the heart of Kamalanagar town, once completed a multi-cultural programme with the Lai, Mara, Chakma and Mizos shall be hosted.”

Hundreds of YCA delegates and volunteers representing more than 100 branches under 8 Zones within different administrative districts of Mizoram and one Regional YCA Committee from the state of Tripura assembled here in the conference. The Association has a membership strength of of about 42,000. It was founded in the year 1976 with the primary of objectives of rendering voluntary social service to its people and society.

The Annual Report of the Association as placed in the conference proclaimed its achievement in its fight against age old social evils ingrained in the society, in its effort to introduce the learning of the Chakma Language up to Elementary level in the the schools of Chakma inhabited areas of Mizoram outside CADC, in succesfully organising blood donation camps, in taking initiative with the State Government to set up State Minority Commission, in monitoring schemes under SSA, in creating awareness to conserve the environment and in expanding the organisational roots of the YCA.

The Mizo Idol Pu Lalthuta, accompanying the Minister performed a few Mizo hits, sending the audience rocking and lightinng up the occassion.

CADC’s Interim Budget resumed and concluded

Kamalanagar, April 2: The Chakma Autonomous District Council’s Interim Budget Session 2012-13 resumed today with the Second sitting of the Summer Session of the 8th Chakma Autonomous District Council.

The Question Hour discussed 16 numbers of unstarred questions and 4 numbers of starred questions.

The Interim Budget Estimate with allocation for fund amounting to Rs.470.00 Lakhs under Plan sector and Rs.953.00 lakhs under Non-Plan sector for the period April to July placed on Friday last, for vote on account, was discussed and debated for long.

The leader of the opposition Sri Rashik Mohan Chakma termed the Budget as anti-people.

The Budget has reflected a fund provision amounting to Rs.11.00 Crores under Centrally Sponsored Scheme for construction of new Secretariat Complex and Session Hall. It also made fund allocation to the tune of Rs.0.50 Crore towards the welfare of the economically downtrodden families. The first time Driving School started last year to generate employment opportunities for the unemployed youth, having been found to be drawing hordes of enthusiastic applicants, the budget kept fund provision to meet its increasing demand.

The Budget finally got passed unanimously with the support from the opposition bench as well.

In the evening session of the sitting an official Amendment Bill was moved by the Hon’ble Chief Executive Member for introducing use of EVM Machine in all future elections to the District Council in order to modernise the polling system and ensure free and fair election. However, after discussion it was felt that the Bill needs further study and accordingly the mover of the Bill proposed to forward it to a Select Committee to be reintroduced in the next Session, which was approved by the Chairman.

CADC’s Interim Budget 2012-13 placed

Kamalanagar, March 28 : Chakma Autonomous District Council’s interim Budget for the coming fiscal year 2012-13 has been placed today in the August House of the Council.

Rs.470.00 Lakhs under Plan sector and Rs.953.00 lakhs under Non-Plan sector were earmarked for the first four months of the fiscal year i.e. from April-July’ 2012. The allocation made under Non-Plan sector is 33.33% of the presently allocated total amount for Chakma Autonomous District Council, under Normal Grant-in-aid by the State Government. However, the Hon’ble Chief Executive Member, CADC in his Budget speech remarked that the alloted amount of Rs.2858.00 Lakhs for the current years fiscal budget under Normal Grant-in-aid (Non-Plan) is not sufficient to meet the whole fiscal year’s requirement for Salary, if the revised Rules for Councillors Salary & Allowences is to be implemented.

While, the Budget also made a projection for collection of Local Revenues of Rs.98.70 Lakhs against the previous year’s collection of Rs.89.62 Lakhs.

The Hon’ble Chief Executive member in his budget speech informed the House about the Council being empowered to take up developmental schemes under Plan sector with the recently entrusted Deparments of Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation and Minor Irrigation.

The Budget Session was ajourned at 12:15 till Friday and the next sitting was announced to be on Monday.

Winter Session held in CADC

Kamalanagar, the 30th Nov. 2011: Chakma Autonomous District Council had its Winter Session held today.

Amongst the various issues raised in the House, the issue of recent enhancement of power of the Autonomous District Council dominated. The opposition has been all loathe about the Notification of the Government of Mizoram. They feel that it has fallen far short of expectation considering the recommendation made by the Administrative Reform Commission constituted in 2005 where it has been envisaged for more power under 3(a) and 3(b) of the Sixth Schedule to Constitution of India. The Chief Executive Member Sri Kali Kumar Tongchangya countered the opposition while giving credit to the Congress Government in the State led by Pu Lalthanhawla who has been kind enough to promote the interest of the Councils.

Press Release – 16 Aug 2011

Kamalanagar, 16th August: NLUP, the pro-poor people programme of the current Congress Government is finally taking shape in the Chakma areas of CADC in sync with the rest of the state. The Congress has pivoted their last election campaign around this pet programme. Having been voted to power with a thumping majority, it seems the Government is keened on delivering their promise.

Last Friday the 13th, a District Level Workshop on implementation of NLUP was conducted at Kamalanagar. The occasion was graced by the Hon’ble MOS Shri Nihar Kanti Chakma, the local MLA Shri Nirupam Chakma and Shri K K Tongchongya, CEM, CADC. Resource persons and officials from various line departments of the State Government such as the Fishery Department, Environment & Forest Department, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, Agriculture Department, Soil & Water Conservation Department and Horticulture Department took their turns to enlighten the village representatives from around CADC. The exercise is to be only a part of the long process of capacity building of the beneficiaries before actual assistance is being doled out. As per scheme of things at least one more training is required to be undergone by the beneficiaries. The training would be trade specific one has selected for. The eligible beneficiaries would have to pass the training for getting selected. In interaction with the Jt. Director, Agriculture Department, govt. of Mizoram and Technical Adviser NLUP it was learnt that approximately nine thousands families have been identified eligible for assistance under NLUP in CADC. Out of these 75% would be covered under the Programme for assistance, highest in whole of Mizoram. Each beneficiary would not get less than Rupees one lakh depending upon the trade. Flow of funds would be in installments. Performance of the preceding installment would determine the release of the next installment.

Press Release – 9 Aug 2011

Kamalanagar, 9th Aug: His Excellency the Governor of Mizoram Shri M M Lakhera convened a meeting on Thursday the 5th with all the Chief Executive Members of the District Councils and their Executive Secretaries at Raj Bhawan. The meeting discussed various issues relating to the District Councils. His Excellency expressed his willingness to extend all possible cooperation in matters relating to development of the three District councils at par with rest of the State.

The Hon’ble CEM Shri K K Tongchongya on his way back home was accompanied by a three member team of Survey expert. The team would assess the feasibility of CEM’s long cherished dream to tap the potential of the rapid at Golasury, locally referred to as the “PITTI”, to address the growing problem of potable water-crisis at Kamalanagar. The project, if could be materialized, Kamalanagar’s ever growing population and other adjoining villages would have sufficient water supply for domestic as well as for agricultural purposes. The Team and the CEM, EM i/c Agri. and EM i/c PHE took a day long trip to the site on Sunday the 8th. As per findings of the survey team there is a difference of 12 mtrs in altitude between the “PITTI” and Kamalanagar over a distance of 40.6 Km. To quote the CEM, “It would be too early to comment on the aspect of feasibility of the Project. Further works and survey of other potential sites would continue”.

Press Release – 4 Aug 2011

Kamalanagar, 4th Aug: The representatives of the three Autonomous District Councils visit Delhi to press on with their demand to expedite the process of amendment of the 6th Schedule to the Constitution of India for conferment of direct funding status to the 3 ADC’s coupled with enhanced Executive, Legislative & Judicial power. To this effect they have submitted a Memorandum to the Hon’ble Union Home Minister Shri P. Chidambaram. They also met Shri G K Pillai, Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs making him a request for the earliest preparation of the Draft Bill to effect the amendment. Mr. Pillai was also requested to forward copies of the Draft Bill to each of the ADCs before it is being placed on the floor of the House for passing.

The CADC team comprising of Shri Nirupam Chakma, MLA, Shri K K Tong, CEM and Shri Taranisen Chakma, EM called on Shri P K Basu, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture submitting him the Minor Irrigation Project worth Rs. 24.95 Crores. The team also had an appointment with Shri B K Hendique, Union Minister of DONER and requested him for retention of all the Projects—CADC Secretariat Building, Judicial Building, College Building, & Water Supply Scheme at Kamalanagar—submitted from CADC. B N Malhotra, Director, P&WA (CPWD), informed the team that out of the Rs. 23.42 Crores worth Project of Modernization of Kamalanagar Town, Rs. 16.00 crores have already been accepted and asked them to submit DPR for the rest of the amount. Shri Anwar Ehshan Ahmed, Secretary and Shri Sada Kant, Jt. Secretary, Border Management were also approached with regards to the Sillosora boundary dispute with Bangladesh and for early approval of the pending bills under IBB Fencing compensation.

CADC Monsoon Session, 2011 concludes

Kamalanagar, August 2, 2011: The Chakma Autonomous District Council Monsoon Session 2011, which began on Friday, 29th July, concluded today, with the 2nd and the final sitting.

This Monsoon Session has seen a number of important Bills passed. The CADC (Constitution, Conduct of Business etc) (Amendment) Rules, 2011 was passed with a majority vote with five members from the opposition bench going against the Bill. The Bill was contended with regards to the inclusion of the provisions for two nominated members from the woman and with the vesting in the State Election Commission, the responsibility to conduct election to the District Council. The existing Rule has a provision for only one nominated woman member and so far, elections to the District Council were conducted by Deputy Commissioner on behalf of His Excellency, the Governor of Mizoram.

While the Second Session held today passed the CADC (Village Councils) (Amendments) Rules, 2011, the CADC (Salaries, Allowances & Pension of Members) (Amendment) Rules 2011, the CADC (Salaries, Allowances & Pension of Chairman & Deputy Chairman) (Amendment) Rules 2011 and the CADC (Salaries, Allowances & Pension of CEM & EMs) (Amendment) Rules 2011. The amendment of the CADC Village Council Act 2003 shall provide for a free and fair election under the State Election Commission. So far elections to the Village Council were conducted by the authorities of CADC. Although, power to conduct the Village Council election shall vest in the State Election Commission but the provision for preparation of the Electoral Roll will be retained by the authorities of CADC. The amendment will also facilitate the empowerment of the Village Councils with the subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. If the amendment gets effective the Village Council will be accountable to the Gram Sabha (all the registered voters of the concerned Village Council) for all its function, expenditure, approval of Plan and approval of Utilization Certificate. Thenceforth, the Village Council will be responsible for the identification and or selection of persons as beneficiaries under the poverty alleviation and other programmes. From this, it is understandable that the objective is to devolve power to the grass root level.