Kamalanagar, July 31:Chakma Autonomous District Council’s Monsoon Session continued into its second day. The day was devoted to a single agenda of moving the bill of Chakma Autonomous District Council (Constitution and Conduct of Business, etc.,) (Amendment) Rules, 2012.

Earlier, in the Summer Session the same amendment bill was moved by the Hon’ble Chief Executive Member, CADC for consideration in the House. It was then felt after prolong discussion, that it should be referred to a three member Select Committee for further study and accordingly a Committee was formed for the purpose, comprising of members from both the political groups.

As scheduled the report of the Select Committee was tabled on the floor of the House for consideration. Almost all the recommendations of the Select Committee were agreed upon save an amendment pertaining to Rule 12(5)(a) seeking to remove the provision of disqualification of a member of District Council on the ground of defection from the mother political party. Finally the bill was passed on majority vote excluding the contentious portion.

If the bill gets the assent of His Excellency, the Governor of Mizoram the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of Electoral rolls for, and the conduct of Election to the District Council shall get vested in the State Election Commission. So far, since 1972, elections to the District Council were executed in the name of the Governor and the State Election Commission has had no roles.

The bill also seeks to introduce the use of electronic voting machine from the next MDC general Election by replacing the age old mode of ballot paper system of voting. By ushering in the use of technology in the electioneering process many of the election related discrepancies and disputes which are incidental to the process, shall be taken care of. It will ensure a freer and fair election in the District Council from now onwards.

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.

Kamalanagar, 1st April’ 2011: The Chakma Autonomous District Council Budget Session’ 2011 continued into its Second and final sitting. Today’s lists of business, taken up in the sitting, were Discussion and Voting on the Budget Estimate of Rs. 3,840.38 lakhs, discussion and voting on the Supplementary Demand, 2010-2011 to the tune of Rs. Rs.913.20 lakhs and placing of reports of the Audit Committee of CADC on the Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year 31 March, 2005.

In the morning session of the day, the fund allocation made in the Budget, under different heads were discussed and debated for a long two and half hours before it got passed unanimously. During the course of the discussion the opposition voiced their concern regarding the adoption of the RTE Act 2009 in totality. They opined that under such circumstances, the Council’s powers on matter relating to Primary and Middle school education may get diluted. The power conferred under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India, empowers the Council to legislate on matters relating to Primary and Middle School education.

The opposition also raised the issue of overlapping of fund allocation for the same work due to sourcing of funds from different sources. While the Chief Executive Member, Chakma Autonomous District Council assured them that to avoid such unwanted occurrences, the High Power Committee in the State shall be intimated and notified.

During the discussion on the Supplementary Demand, it has been suggested by the opposition, to study the head of accounts being enjoyed by members in the State Assembly under the Member Privilege Rule, so that they can be replicated here in the Council as per convenience for the benefit of the councilors. Finally, this year’s Budget Session got concluded with voting on the Supplementary Demand and the CADC Audit Committee Report, favourably.

Kamalanagar, 29th March’ 2011: The Summer (Budget) Session, 2011 of the 8th Chakma Autonomous District Council has begun today. Shri Sushil Kumar Chakma was on the Chair. This First Sitting has seen 19 members attending with 2 absentees.

The Question Hours was served with 4 Unstarred Questions and 4 Starred Questions. It has witnessed a healthy debate with the opposition playing a responsible role.

The Question Hours was followed by Legislation. In the first half of this session, the Hon’ble Chief Executive Member, CADC, Shri Kali Kumar Tongchangya placed the Budget for the year 2011-2012 before this August House for consideration and approval. This was followed by a presentation by him on the Supplementary Demand of Chakma Autonomous District Council for the year 2010-2011.

The Chief Executive Member, Chakma Autonomous District Council in his Budget speech expressed his delight over the allotment of fund by the State Government under Supplementary Grants for 2010-2011, to the tune of Rs.913.20 lakhs. He made it known before the House that the Budget Estimate, 2011-2012 has been prepared with Rs.2,432.18 lakhs under normal Grant-in-Aid, Non-Plan and Rs.22.50 lakhs under centrally sponsored scheme for Local Body Grants from 13th Finance Commission and with Rs.1,350.00 lakhs under Annual Plan sector. A target of Rs.35.70 lakhs is being made for local revenue receipts and thus, the total figure of the Budget Estimate coming to Rs.3,840.38 lakhs under Revenue Receipt head. In the Public Account, that is, in the Employees Welfare Cell the estimated receipt is Rs.33.05 lakhs.

Finally, an official bill, “Chakma Autonomous District Council (Profession, Trade, Calling and Employment Taxation) (Amendment) Regulation”, was introduced by Shri Buddha Lila Chakma, Executive Member i/c Revenue etc. for discussion and voting on the bill. Comments and suggestions were exchanged before the bill was finally voted unanimously by the House. The bill seeks to expand the range of the reach of the Taxation Department. If the bill receives the Governor’s assent, three more categories namely i)Estate agents or promoters or brokers or commission agents, ii) Drectors and iii) contractors/suppliers, would come under the net of the Taxation Department, CADC. With this the House was adjourned till next Friday.