Bishnupriya Manipuri Development Council: Few Pertinent Questions (Part II)

By Rebati Mohan Sinha, Mumbai

The Government of Assam has been making concerted efforts in fulfilling the aspiration of people of the backward regions and backward communities relating to their socio-cultural identity, language, education and economic development. Therefore, its objective is to create the self governing Autonomous/Development Councils and provide the constitutional protection to these communities, under the sixth schedule, to fulfil the economic, educational, and linguistic aspiration and the preservation of socio-cultural and ethnic identity. This concept of village centric councils in contiguous area without a defined boundary was from the recommended constitution of the Bhupinder Committee of village councils and regional councils.

Let us talk about our Bishnupriya Manipuri Development Council which was said to be granted to us. It has been reported that the most of the Bishnupriya Manipuri people have been kept in dark as far as their aspiration vis-a-vis the aims and objectives of the Development Council, is concerned. There has been no news of Community meeting so far held to discuss upon aims and objective of the council after last March 25th declaration by Government except a meeting of Assam NBMM State committee on formation of executive committee of the council on last Buddha Purnima day, the 27th May 2010. Again it has been reported that there was an NBMM central committee meeting recently held on last 4th July 2010 at Silchar to discuss inclusion of NBMM recommended candidates with the already prepared list of executive members of Development Council committee. 

Sorry to mention here that the very purpose of arranging the meeting was defeated as the final list could not be declared at the meeting because of the prepared list (at Guwahati) was not available and at the same time there was no mention of fresh date of declaration of final list. There was a rumour spread in Guwahati and Silchar that a supplementary budget being prepared, and our Bishnupriya Manipuri Development Council is being considered for the allotment of fund. 

One cannot understand without the ground work on formation i.e the area of the development council comprising the Bishnupriya Manipuri villages as per an annexure prepared and notified by the state Government -- how can an allotment be made? The villages are be constituted, say Anchalik Unnayan Parishad. The state Government would provide an amount to be decided every year on population ratio basis, as grant in aid in installments for executing development works. Has the council prepared a plan with the amount likely to be available for development works both under State/Central share? Has Government intimated the Bishnupriya Manipuri Development Council about its formation of organisation to run the Council i.e will there be any chief or Dy chief of council along with executive members to run the council?

Bishnupriya Manipuri community wants to know (1) Aims and objectives of the Development Council, (2) The formulation of ACT to run the Council (3) What are the Plan Programs so far submitted to Government and so on.