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Barak Valley Hill Tribes Council facing problems

By Correspondent - 15 Sep 2010 12:00 AM GMT

SILCHAR, Dec 24 � The Barak Valley Hill Tribes Development Council formed in 1996 and based at the Lakhipur subdivision of Cachar has been facing a number of problems, frustrating the very objective behind its constitution for the welfare and well-being of tribes of the valley. Ngur Sungthang, chairman of the council, in a memorandum submitted to Longki Phangchu, Commissioner and Secretary of the Department of WPT and BC, Government of Assam, recently discussed the problems in running the administration.

In order to bring about socio-economic, cultural and educational development of the tribes, Sungthang has demanded upgrading of the council with the Sixth Schedule provisions and granting of HT status to hill tribes in the absence of which the young and educated youths have been deprived of government jobs and services.

Sunthang said that without the provision of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, the creation and formation of the council has become meaningless as it puts embargo on the facilities admissible to the hill tribes. Though 15 years have gone by since the creation of the council, the condition of poor hill tribes has not changed for the better. This has created unrest among the different ethnic groups.

Sungthang referred to the meagre funds released to the council, considering the vast area of its governance of 555 villages which are under the jurisdiction of the council and the fund allotted during 2010-11 is Rs 85 lakh only which can hardly meet the requirements for development of the area and its people.

The allotment under non-plan for the same year is Rs 35 lakh only as against Rs 50 lakh allocated during the previous year. The allotment of meagre funds, he pointed out, stands in the way of proper functioning and implementation of schemes and projects for the development of tribal people.

He has demanded release of sufficient funds under both plan and non-plan heads.

Sungthang stated that the council has been created for the development of hill tribes of the three districts in the Barak Valley. He said that it is sad that the Government of Assam has authorised the Tribal Sangha to issue caste and tribe certificates to both plain and hill tribes.

He sought authorisation to this council to issue certificates to the hill tribes living within the jurisdiction of the council. Warles Suchiang, vice-chairman of the council, was also present during interaction with Longki Phangchu in the office of the council at Lakhipur subdivision.