Kamalanagar, 26 August 2026: The Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) Village Council Association organised a programme today at Teachers’ Inn, Kamalanagar, for the distribution of copies of the Chakma Customary Law and the CADC Village Council Act to Village Councils under the CADC. Representatives of 86 of the 88 village councils attended the programme. Dg. Nirupam Chakma, Hon’ble Chief Executive Member (CEM), CADC, attended as the Chief Guest.

In his address, the CEM appreciated the initiative taken by the Village Council Association and advised both newly elected and experienced Village Council members to read and familiarise themselves with the laws governing Village Councils and to understand their powers and functions. He suggested that members could also seek the assistance of teachers in local schools to better understand the provisions of the laws.

The CEM further informed that the CADC would organise a follow-up programme in coordination with the Village Council Association to facilitate clarification of doubts and address issues relating to the implementation of the relevant laws, with the assistance of concerned officials.

Referring to the amendments relating to Village Councils, Dg. Nirupam Chakma highlighted the extension of the tenure of Village Councils to five years, the inclusion of the Gram Sabha, and the entrustment of the conduct of Village Council elections to the State Election Commission, instead of the Local Administration Department, with the objective of ensuring free and fair elections.

He also referred to the provision for making the local Member of District Council (MDC) an ex-officio member of the Village Councils within the concerned constituency. The CEM stated that, after assuming office, he had directed the concerned department to issue instructions to Village Council Presidents (VCPs) to invite the concerned MDCs to Village Council meetings. He further said that if an MDC does not attend a meeting despite having been duly invited, the matter should be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

The CEM said that the proposed amendments to the Sixth Schedule, once passed, would provide greater powers to Village Councils. Referring to the Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Act and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JUGA), he said that 383 villages in Mizoram had been selected under the initiatives, including most of the villages under the CADC. He urged the Village Councils to prepare Village Development Plans, place their proposals before the Gram Sabha, and submit the duly approved plans to the CADC for further action.

Dg. Nirupam Chakma stressed the importance of training and awareness regarding the Chakma Customary Law and assured that the CADC would take necessary initiatives in this regard. He also advised Village Councils to maintain proper records and ensure that their Secretaries were adequately equipped to assist in the discharge of the judicial functions of the Village Councils.

The CEM expressed concern over reports of the alleged sale or transfer of CADC land passes to outsiders and urged Village Councils and the public to remain vigilant in such matters. He said that appropriate action would be taken against persons found involved in any illegal activities. Regarding the issuance of trade licences to outsiders, he said that such matters should be considered through the proper Village Council process and in the larger interest of the CADC.

Speaking about the ongoing financial crisis faced by the CADC, where a major portion of the budget allocation is consumed by employee salaries, the CEM sought the collective cooperation of all stakeholders to stabilise the financial situation. He stated that, since assuming office, his administration had maintained strict fiscal discipline by putting a halt to fresh appointments, promotions, pay upgradation, postings and transfers.

The CEM also informed the gathering that he planned to visit villages across the CADC to understand their needs, problems and developmental requirements first-hand. He further stated that he intended to visit Delhi to explore possibilities for development, particularly for villages located in border areas, and to learn more about the Vibrant Villages Programme.