Imphal, January 20 (NNN): Contrary to regular conduct of local bodies' elections in the valley districts the hill dwellers have been denied the benefits of enjoying such facilities for the last many years, highlighted member of Manipur Legislative Assembly BD Behring.

A statement issued by the MLA cited the recent Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat election as living example of successive Governments undermining the interest of the hill people, who despite making up 30 percent of the State's total population and settled in about 20,000 sq kms of Manipur's 22,327 sq kms boundary, have been repeatedly facing rejection on proposals for restoration of democratic rights.

The fact that people of valley districts have been taking part in the local bodies' elections every five years clearly indicates practice of Central Government's policy on decentralisation of power being implemented at the grassroots level, said the Chandel AC legislator.

Compared to such significant democratic practices made accessible to the valley people, the hill dwellers' insistence for promulgation of the Sixth Schedule or proposals for conduct of elections under Manipur Hill District Autonomous Council Act 1973 and 2000 have been met with resistance from those holding power in the State, he maintained.

Neither were the above proposals acknowledged nor has demand for amendment of Manipur Hill Area Village Authority Act 1956 to facilitate decentralisation of power been reciprocated, added Behring, who was also a former MP.

Expressing that hill people not only have to endure such undemocratic conduct of respective Governments, the MLA charged the present Congress-led SPF coalition of diverting Centrally assisted welfare programmes meant for the hills to other areas at the behest of those in power.

Elaborating on the allegation, he referred to fund diversion from schemes like the Rs 1 crore population control (2003-04) meant for Ukhrul and Tamenglong district, siphoning off of Rs 85 lakhs regarding maintenance work of Ukhrul PWD without execution of the assigned tasks, and the recent fund embezzlement meant for ACA and Mini Secretariat construction in Tamenglong district.

Crores of rupees provided by Central Government since 2001 to 2005 for various projects under Tribal Development are yet to be released by the SPF Government, further charged the MLA and added that the State Cabinet decision against realignment of assembly constituencies is a stark reminder of subjugating the people at any given moment.

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