The new Academic Calendar should be rectified : FATYCM
Sir,
The Federation of All Tribal Youth Clubs Manipur (FATYCM), would like to assert that the present newly revised Academic Calendar (2010) of Manipur issued by the Directorate of Education (S), Government of Manipur, which is quite different from the annual academic calendar of the past, is unjust. This newly revised academic calendar is unfavourable with the existing religious and cultural ethos of the State and also not congenial with the existing climatic condition of the soil. This degraded revised academic calendar also lacks uniformity and tranquillity.
The Federation observes that it is a mockery on the part of the SPF Government to hatch such a mal-arrangement of academic calendar at the pretext of recovering the previous year’s four (4) months devastated academic atmosphere which has spoiled the entire process of learning to every learners. Such an act could be termed as cowardice and awkward development which would ultimately create many inherent demerits to the forthcoming school learners and spoil the academic atmosphere for the many successive years and even to a generation.
It is pertinent to point out here that if the existing Government fails to retrieve the unsound academic calendar at the earliest possible time in spite of public outcry against such unhealthy move, the federation would only be convinced that people rightly state that the SPF Government is high handed in nature.
The federation would also like to urge that any delay or denied policy of the existing Government for the timely rectification of the present defective calendar will create a lot of hue and cry in the four corners of the State which will ultimately result to intrigue to the solidarity and integrity of the State, Manipur.
Yours faithfully,
Mayoshang Ningshen, President, FATYCM.
A defective, incomplete ADC Act
Sir,
In enacting any major or minor Act either by Parliament or Legislative Assembly, usually in its preamble short title, extend and commencement is given. Similarly in the present principle Act, the Manipur District Council Act 1971 was enabled by Parliament in the 22nd year of the Republic of India, and its short little, extent and commencement was given in the preliminary as “This act may be called the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971, and extends to the whole of the Union Territory of Manipur.”
Here the word “Autonomous” is silent. In chapter II, Section 3(i) Constitution of District Councils, as soon as may be after the commencement of this act, the administrator shall cause all the Hill Areas to be divided into not more than six Autonomous Districts. In my opinion if the real interpretation of this act means “Autonomous” it should have been mentioned in the Title creating less confusion.
Again, in the principle Act chapter III, Functions of District councils, in section 29 (I) it is written as “Subject to such exceptions and conditions as the Administrator may make and impose the following matters shall be under the control and administration of a district council namely such and such.
This is also controversial as if this Act is an “Autonomous Act” the Question of section 29(I) does not necessarily arise for obtaining permission from the administrator.
Mention may be made here that the district council election was in operation for the 1st part of 1970 till the end of 1980 during which the then council chairman could not function or exercise any power at his own will without obtaining sanction from the Government and as a result, the Hill people discontinued council election and raised for extension of 6th schedule.
The Manipur Hill people launched different types of agitation to repeal the defective Act or to extend 6th Schedule under the provision of Article 371©. The 6th Schedule committee also submitted several memorandums to the Prime Minister, Home Minister etc. The legislative Assembly of Manipur enacted an Act No. II of 2000 with its short title as “The Manipur Hill Areas Autonomous District Council Act, 2000.
In section 3 of this Act it was clearly mentioned in the Headline as “Constitution of Autonomous District” and in its section 22 (in place of section 29 of the principle Act 1971) power and function of the District Council, it has removed the clause (I) which runs as “subject to such exceptions and conditions as the Administrator may make and impose the following matters shall be under the control of an administration of a District Council, namely such and such.
This Act was even published in Manipur Gazette Notification vide No. 291 dated 6th Sept. 2000, but this act was not brought into force and repealed in 2006. The Manipur Legislative Assembly again enacted and introduced a third amendment act 2008. But this amendment also does not fulfil the desires of the people, though enhanced its power and function. But still ‘Autonomous’ is absent in the Act, except only in name.
Hence, my fellow Hill brethren, let us all ask ourselves whether the Judgment had been fair or not, why should not we all fight together for our rights.
It is time to march ahead to press the Govt for rectification of the defective acts or to extend 6th schedule in Hill areas to avoid further complication.
Yours faithfully,
Ayo Kasar
Ukhrul.