‘Rescind OM’
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IMPHAL, Dec 3: A representation has been submitted to President Droupadi Mur-mu seeking action to rescind an Office Memorandum which seeks to create or examine a "separate Hills Budget".
The Office Memorandum (OM) was issued on November 26, 2025 by Rakesh Bhatnagar, Deputy Director (Budget), Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
The OM, based on an individual representation not routed through the Governor of Manipur, constitutes a serious breach of Article 371C and undermines the federal structure, said the representation submitted by retired District & Sessions Judge, Aribam Noutune-shwari Devi and four Advocates, Sorokhaibam Rabindra Singh, Mangsha-tabam Manglem Singh, Okram Inaobi Singh and Irengbam Jugeshwar Singh.
The impugned Office Memorandum suffers from fundamental Constitutional defects, said the representation.
The OM arose from an individual representation bypassing the Governor. This violates Article 371C, which requires all Hill Areas matters to be processed exclusively through the Governor, it said.
Further, the OM was issued during President’s Rule in Manipur. Under Article 356, the President exercises administration only through the Governor. Therefore, bypassing the Governor during President’s Rule is a double Constitutional violation, said the representation.
Significantly, the OM attempts to create or examine a “separate Hills Budget” without Constitutional authority. Budgetary or administrative restructuring of Hill Areas cannot occur without the Governor’s report under Article 371C, consultation with Hill Area Committee (HAC) and proper legislative or Constitutional sanction, asserted the representation.
The OM may create a dangerous precedent. If allowed, it will fragment State authority, erode federalism, encourage individuals to influence Union action, and distort Constitutional safeguards for Hill Areas. Thus, the Office Memorandum is ultra vires, unconstitutional, and void, claimed the representation.
It urged the President to direct the Ministry of Finance or the authority concerned to recall, supersede, or withdraw the Office Memorandum either through a corrective addendum, subsequent Office Memorandum, or appropriate administrative order to restore Constitutional compliance under Article 371C.
Significantly the memorandum submitted to the President had gone viral on the social media, with many sharing their thoughts and opinions on its content.
The Office Memorandum (OM) was issued on November 26, 2025 by Rakesh Bhatnagar, Deputy Director (Budget), Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
The OM, based on an individual representation not routed through the Governor of Manipur, constitutes a serious breach of Article 371C and undermines the federal structure, said the representation submitted by retired District & Sessions Judge, Aribam Noutune-shwari Devi and four Advocates, Sorokhaibam Rabindra Singh, Mangsha-tabam Manglem Singh, Okram Inaobi Singh and Irengbam Jugeshwar Singh.
The impugned Office Memorandum suffers from fundamental Constitutional defects, said the representation.
The OM arose from an individual representation bypassing the Governor. This violates Article 371C, which requires all Hill Areas matters to be processed exclusively through the Governor, it said.
Further, the OM was issued during President’s Rule in Manipur. Under Article 356, the President exercises administration only through the Governor. Therefore, bypassing the Governor during President’s Rule is a double Constitutional violation, said the representation.
Significantly, the OM attempts to create or examine a “separate Hills Budget” without Constitutional authority. Budgetary or administrative restructuring of Hill Areas cannot occur without the Governor’s report under Article 371C, consultation with Hill Area Committee (HAC) and proper legislative or Constitutional sanction, asserted the representation.
The OM may create a dangerous precedent. If allowed, it will fragment State authority, erode federalism, encourage individuals to influence Union action, and distort Constitutional safeguards for Hill Areas. Thus, the Office Memorandum is ultra vires, unconstitutional, and void, claimed the representation.
It urged the President to direct the Ministry of Finance or the authority concerned to recall, supersede, or withdraw the Office Memorandum either through a corrective addendum, subsequent Office Memorandum, or appropriate administrative order to restore Constitutional compliance under Article 371C.
Significantly the memorandum submitted to the President had gone viral on the social media, with many sharing their thoughts and opinions on its content.