Imphal, October 10 2008: Amidst walk out by four Opposition MLAs of MPP, the Manipur Hill Areas District Council (Third Amendment) Bill, 2008 was passed by the State Assembly today.

After the discussion and just before passing of the Bill, the four MPP MLAs namely O Joy, Dr Ng Bijoy, Dr Ibohalbi and RK Anand staged a walk out on the ground that the principle Bill had not been discussed, and pointed out technical defects and procedural lapses in the Bill.

Duscussing the Bill, MLA O Joy of MPP contended that the Manipur Hill Area District Council Bill had been referred to the Hill Area Committee and the Select Committee without ever giving an opportunity for discussion of the principle Bill in the House.

The discussion of the principle Bill is essential as it had been reintroduced after promulgation of an ordinance.

He also said that on the request of the Tribal Development Minister to include the clause 'Hill Department in the gazette notification is in contradiction to the rules of procedure.

Nonetheless, Joy added that he had no objection as such to the bill if it can be passed only after proper discussion of the existing technical and procedural lapses.

MLA Ng Bijoy maintained that giving not an opportunity for discussion of the principle Bill had denied any possibility for rectification of the lapses.

MLAs Dr I Ibohalbi and RK Anand also observed that though empowerment of Hill Areas Committee is a Constitutional rights, the Bill should be referred to the Selection Committee again for necessary discussion on rectification of the lapses.

In his response to the observations made by the Opposition MLAs, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said that there is no question of forcing the bill to be passed by the Ruling bench but it is an effort toward ensuring the rights of the deprived people living in the hill areas as the election of the District Council has not been held for a long time.

The delimitation process of the District Councils carried out at the behest of the Government to ensure holding of election is ready, the Chief Minister said, while proposing to the House for passing the bill along with replacing the words 'Hill Department' mentioned in the gazette notification of the bill with 'State Government'.

Participating in the discussion, Tribal Development Minister DD Thaisii observed that passing of the Bill by the House is necessary for holding the election of the District Council to ensure protection of the rights of the hill people.

Along with passing of the Bill, the total number of councillors in the District Council would be 26 including 2 nominees as against the earlier strength of 20 councillors, the Minister added.

During the course of the discussion, Revenue Minister Th Debendra noted that even though the election of the District Council would be held for sure, it may create problem in future unless there is a definite land policy of the State.

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