Imphal, September 10, 2010: The list of powers to be conferred on the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) will formally be announced soon.

To discuss the matter, a special Cabinet meeting will be convened at the earliest.

This was stated by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi at a conference of ADC Members held at Khuman Lampak today.

The Chief Minister informed the gathering that the Hill Areas Committee has been working out the areas in which administrative power can be decentralised and devolved to the ADCs.

The Committee would be submitting a report to the Government in the coming days.

Speaking as chief guest at the conference, Ibobi stated that the Government has been lobbying with DoNER Ministry to provide a special package for development of hill areas.

Efforts are also on to provide compensation for houses destroyed in fire mishaps.

Stating that the Government has taken note of the need to appoint Chowkidars for Primary Schools under ADCs where Chowkidars are absent at present, Ibobi announced that ADC Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen would be allowed to recruit their own staff.

The Government would be looking into the types of vehicles and modalities in which ADC Executive Members can use vehicles as and when they need them.

The Chief Minister further pointed out the need to hold such conference at district headquarters as soon as the situation in the hill districts returns to normal for collective discussion with the people about the programmes and activities of the ADCs.

The ADC Members should show with deeds that establishment of ADCs can expedite and expand development in hill districts.

In his presidential speech, Tribal Development Minister DD Thaisii called upon the ADC Members to submit their work proposals to the Government in time.

This would enable the State Government to seek aids/funds from the Central Government in time.

The State Government has already started receiving money from the 13th Finance Commission, Thaisii stated.

The conference attended by Members of six ADC's was also addressed by MPCC president Gaikhangam and IPR Minister TN Haokip.

Earlier in the day, vehicles allotted to the six Chairmen and the six Vice-Chairmen were handed over to them by the Chief Minister.