Imphal, April 13 2010: After over 20 years of lying dormant, administrative mechanisms of the autonomous district councils would be evolved through conduct of elections for which official procedures would commence with the issuance of election notification, informed the State's Chief Secretary DS Poonia at a function here.

addressing a gathering during the inaugural session of a seminar on 'The Peace Dividend' held today at Classic Hotel here, Poonia expressed confidence that resumption of district council activities would bring about all-round development in the hill districts.

presenting a detailed account of administrative constraints due to defunct ADCs, he also pointed out setbacks on the developmental front in the hill districts in the absence of effective implementing agency at the grassroots.

Disclosing that benefits of an amount of Rs 21 crore allocated by the 12th finance Commission for the hill districts could not be reaped due to non-revival of ADCs, the State's top administration officer said inspite of the setback in the last fiscal, the 13th Finance Commission has provided Rs 51 crore for infrastructure development of district councils.

mention may be made that conduct of the two-phase ADC elections scheduled for may 17 and 24 would formally come into place with the issue of notifications on April 15 and 22 respectively.

On the other hand, vehicles stranded at Mao Gate after imposition of economic blockade and bandh along both the National Highways by organisations opposed to the conduct of the ADC polls, have reportedly left the sub-divisional headquarters.

Under strong security escort 18 goods-laden trucks and 20 passenger carriers (buses) are being brought to Imphal today.