Correspondent
IMPHAL, Sep 20: Hill Areas Committee (HAC) of Manipur Legislative Assembly has resolved to urge the state government to provide financial assistance or grants to the village authorities for their proper functioning as local self-governments.
Village authorities in hill districts of Manipur are constituted under the Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas) Act 1956 which is extended across the hill districts of the state.
As such, there should be some sort of assistance or grant from the government/ finance commission in line with Panchayati Raj Institutions, the HAC opined.
The HAC of the state Assembly, in one of its meetings held on September 18, 2026, passed the resolution to urge the state government to provide the financial assistance or grants to the village authorities for their proper functioning as local self-governments.
“Therefore, the Committee resolved to urge the government to fund the Village Authorities for their proper functioning as they are local self governments at village level under the Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas) Act 1956,” the resolution read.
Constituted under Article 371-C of the Indian Constitution and the Presidential Order of 20th June 1972, the HAC is empowered to monitor the law making and administration of hill areas.
All the 20 MLAs elected from the hill districts of the state are the members of the committee.
Notably, the September 18 meeting of the HAC of the Manipur Legislative Assembly was held after a prolonged gap. The meeting brought Naga and Kuki legislators onto a common platform after a prolonged gap. Before the latest meeting that came after more than two years, the HAC had convened an informal joint meeting in Guwahati in Assam on February 23, 2024, amid the prevailing unrest in Manipur.
The meeting was attended by five Naga and nine Kuki legislators.
The latest meeting held on September 18 held in hybrid format was attended by 14 members, with several joining through video conferencing.
Those who attended the meeting were MLA Losii Dikho who is also the deputy chief minister and Khashim Vashum, Leishiyo Keishing, Kumo Sha, Haokholet Kipgen, Ngasanglur Sanate, Chinlunthang, Letzamang Haokip, Letpao Haokip, LM Khaute, Janghemlung Panmei, Ram Muivah and Paolienlal Haokip.
In a post on his social media pages, its chairman, Dinganglung Gangmei, had described the recent meeting as an opportunity for collective deliberation on issues concerning the hill areas.
The chairman stated that the meeting brought HAC members together on a common platform in what he described as a “meaningful and threadbare discussion”, marked by constructive dialogue, mutual understanding and a shared commitment to the interests of the hill areas.