Month: April 2024

52nd CADC Day Celebrated

Kamalanagar, 29 April 2024: The Chakma Autonomous District Council celebrated the completion of 52 years of autonomy and self-governance at Kamalanagar, its headquarters, today. It was created on 29th April 1972, under the 6^th Schedule to the Constitution of India, following the trifurcation of the then Pawi-Lakher Regional Council (PLRC) into Lai Autonomous District Council, Mara Autonomous District Council and Chakma Autonomous District Council.

The celebration started with paying floral tributes at the statue of Dr B.R Ambedkar at the new Secretariat complex by the Chairman and Chief guest of the programme, Dg. Mohan Chakma, and other high-ranking officials of the Council. He ceremoniously unfurled the national flag accompanied by the rendition of the national anthem at the premises of CADC Secretariat. CADC councilors, officials, local NGO leaders, Village Council Presidents and dignitaries attended the programme.

In his address, the Chief Guest paid profound homage to Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, for his pivotal role in enshrining provisions for safeguarding the rights and cultural heritage of minority communities like the Chakmas. He remarked that had it not been for Dr. Ambedkar’s foresight, minority communities such as the Chakmas would have been struggling to secure the autonomy that has enabled them to flourish and thrive.

He also paid homage to the pioneering spirit and indomitable resolve of the prominent Chakma leaders namely Dg. Mediya Chakma, Dg. Baneshwar Chakma, Dg. Hari Kristo Chakma, Dg. Kristo Mohan Chakma, Dg. Atul Chandra Chakma and many others whose visionary leadership and invaluable contributions paved the path towards the realization of Chakma community’s autonomy aspirations in Mizoram.

During his speech, the Chief guest extolled the diversity of the CADC, where different communities like the Chakma, Tongchangya, Bawm, Pang, and Bru people have been co-existing harmoniously. He said this diversity of cultures adds to the beauty of CADC, making it more vibrant. “To preserve our cultural heritage, it is essential that we uphold the principles of righteousness, unity, and goodwill towards others. Such values will foster further development within CADC,” he said.

Highlighting various developmental projects being undertaken in the CADC, including road construction under SASCI, and development of agricultural lands under the RKVY and North Eastern Council (NEC) since 2013, he commended the leadership of Dg. Rasik Mohan Chakma, the Chief Executive Member & MLA, Mizoram, for his instrumental role in implementing these projects.

He also expressed concern over the rampant misuse of social media platforms in the recent times, particularly in spreading negativity towards CADC. He earnestly appealed to the social media users to refrain from activities that are detrimental to the collective progress and development of the community.

In conclusion, he called upon every member of the Chakma community to nurture a competitive spirit to learn from the positive aspects of other communities, asserting that such mindset will enable us to march ahead towards the path of development on par with other progressive communities of the country.

CADC Budget (2024-2025) presented in the Second sitting of Budget Session

Kamalanagar, 10^th April, 2024: In the second sitting of the ongoing Budget Session of the 11^th Chakma Autonomous District Council held today, the house leader and Chief Executive Member, Dg. Rasik Mohan Chakma, presented the second Budget of the 11th Chakma Autonomous District Council for the fiscal year 2024-2025. The budget will be discussed and voted on April 16th, 2024.

The Supplementary Demand for Grants, 2023-24 & Re-appropriation of Local Receipts Fund, 2022-23 and Demand for Grants, 2023-24 (Budget Estimate) has been presented before the house for the discussion and approval of the members. The Supplementary Demand for Grants for the fiscal year 2023-24 is for an amount of Rs. 2656.86 lakhs against salary under Normal Grants-in-Aid.

The Local Receipts for the fiscal year 2023-2024 was for an amount of 147.24 lakhs against a target of Rs. 159.75 lakhs. The CEM attributed the shortfall of Rs.12.51 lakhs to the non-production of bricks, meagre collection of fees from markets, poor receipt of rent from buildings. He asserted that much emphasis shall be given to fulfil the budgetary target of revenue collection for this fiscal year. Therefore, he proposed the Accounts on the Expenditure of Local Receipts for the fiscal year 2023-24 to be re-appropriated and presented department-wise for information and approval of the house.

The house leader in his speech informed that unlike the budgetary allocation of previous financial years, this year the State government has not specified Salary and Non-Salary separately, other than Village Council Remuneration which is 67.36 lakhs against the salary head and Rs.77.98 lakhs against the non-salary head. The salary requirement and normal Grants-in-Aid is estimated to be Rs.19793.49 lakhs. The Account of Receipts and Expenditure shows a deficit of Rs.5418 lakhs, which he said is expected to be covered up with supplementary demands for grants from the State government. He expressed optimism that the state government will allocate the required fund in due course of time.

He also highlighted some notable achievements accomplished by the CADC during the fiscal year 2023-24 despite acute financial constraints, such as constructions of Revenue Circle offices, installations of Integrated Land Records Management System, Publication of text books on moral education, publication of Changmha text books for Classes-I to VIII, CADC calendars and Choice of the people charts, repairing of school buildings, purchase and distributions of text books, school uniforms to pre-primary students, conduct of common examination for classes-IV and Class-VIII, financial assistance to piggery, poultry, duckery, goat rearing, cattle farming to 666 families under Normal Grants-in-Aid. In concluding his Budget Speech, the house leader thanked all the members of the house and presented the Supplementary Demand for Grants, 2023-24 & Reappropriation of Local Receipts Fund, 2023-24 and Demands for Grants, (Budget Estimate), 2024-2025 before the house for consideration and approval. With no other businesses remaining to be transacted, the sitting was adjourned.

CADC enacts legislation to regulate cremation and burial practices

Kamalanagar, 9th March, 2024: The first sitting of the Budget Session, 2024-2025, of the 11^th Chakma Autonomous District Council, which was held today saw the successful passage of two Bills: The Chakma Autonomous District Council (Constitution, Conduct of Business, etc.) (Seventh Amendment) Rules, 2024, and The Chakma Autonomous District Council (Management and Control of Cremation and Burial Grounds) Bill, 2024.

The first Bill, presented by the house leader and Chief Executive Member, Dg. Rasik Mohan Chakma, proposed several amendments to the CADC (CCB etc.) Rules, 2002, for effective functioning of the CADC. One of the notable provisions was the introduction of a new Chakma version of Oath of Affirmation to be made by members as well as Oath of Secrecy for Executive Members of CADC.

The second Bill, The Chakma Autonomous District Council (Management and Control of Cremation and Burial Grounds) Bill, 2024, was introduced by the house leader on behalf of Dg. Lakkhan Chakma, Executive Member, i/c LAD, CADC. The Bill seeks to regulate the cremation and burial of dead bodies and ensure proper management and control of common cremation sites in each village. Introducing the Bill, the house leader highlighted the age-old traditional practice among Chakmas of having common cremation grounds in villages, and how the increasing practice of cremation and burial of dead bodies on private lands near residential areas, is adversely affecting public health and hygiene. He said enactment of a regulation to curb this unhealthy practice was the “need of the hour”, and sought the support of the house members for its passage.

Both the Bills were thoroughly discussed in the house, with members from the opposition bench – Dg. Nirupam Chakma, Dg. Kali Kumar Tongchanggya, and Dg. Doymoy Daveng Chakma – offering their suggestions regarding certain provisions for enhancing the effectiveness of the proposed legislations. The bills garnered majority support from members of the house and were passed.

The sitting was adjourned with the successful passage of the Bills, with the next sitting scheduled for 10^th April, 2024 (Wednesday).