Imphal, October 16 2010: Whereas the State Cabinet has identified areas for which due power should be devolved to the Autonomous District Councils, the Hill Areas Committee has recommended devolution of power to the extent as applicable to areas where the 6th Schedule is in force.

The HAC made its recommendation after studying the decisions adopted by the State Cabinet on August 22 this year regarding devolution of power to ADCs, informed an official source.

Following the recommendation of the HAC to empower the ADCs to the same level as those areas in Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram where the 6th Schedule is in force, an official meeting of the State Government was held today with the Chief Minister in the chair and deliberated on the recommendations of the HAC.

Among others, the meeting was attended by TD and Hills Minister DD Thaisii, Chief Secretary DS Poonia, Principal Secretary (Hills) LP Golmei and Law Secretary Rameshchandra.

However, the meeting failed to take a definite decision with regard to the recommendations of the HAC.

Nevertheless, list of powers to be devolved to ADCs for 25 different departments has been already decided.

For Agriculture Department, it was already agreed upon to give Rs 54.05 lakhs to ADCs from the State plan in addition to entrusting all other schemes being implemented in hill areas with the exception of modernisation of agricultural practices.

For Works Department, ADCs would be in charge of inter village roads, foot-paths and suspension bridges.

It has also been decided to appoint ADC Chairmen as Chairmen of DRDA under Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.

Likewise, powers to be devolved to ADCs for other departments have also been decided.