Departments

Helicopter trial landing successful at Kamalanagar

Kamalanagagr, August 16^th: As part of the scheme to introduce Helicopter Services by the Governemnt of Mizoram, in the remote areas of the state, the trial landing of helicopter at Kamalanagar helipad, near Bajeisora, was conducted successfully today at 12:00 noon.

Pawan Hans Helicopter on trial landing at Kamalanagar Helipad.

Earlier, the trial landing got postponed twice due to bad weather. In the build up to the trial landing which was scheduled due on 12^th of this month, the CADC authorities geared themselves up to get the helipad ready for services and the approach road leading to the helipad.

The event was witnessed in the presence of Local MLA, Sri N. P. Chakma, CEM, CADC Sri K. K. Tongchangya and SDO (Civil), Chawngte Pu Rina.

Accompanying the team boarding the chopper, besides the captain and the co-pilot was Pu Saidenga, Dy. Controller, Aviation Department. He discussed besides other formalities the access to tickets during the brief haul. As per discussion, tickets will be available from General Administration and Control Department, CADC and a ticket will cost about Rs.2250.00. Active services shall commence very soon which will be intimated at the earliest by the Aviation Department. Per trip will have a seat capacity of seven passengers.

CADC Condemns MCDF’s Propaganada Campaign

Kamalanagar, August 9: Chakma Autonomous District Council condemns the propaganda campaign unleashed by Mizoram Chakma Development Forum, that is so unfounded, with regards to non-functional PHC at Borapansury. There is enough indication that MCDF may have sold its soul to vested interest for orchestrating this publicity campaign to tarnish the image of CADC despite knowing CADC’s sincere effort with the project.

The present Executive Committee since assuming office in 2008 has been nurturing the hope to provide health care facility to the people of Thega Valley of CADC. It was in the year 2010-2011 the authorities of CADC managed to arrange for fund provision under NRHM and BRGF to create infrastructures to give shape to this vision, dreamt for the people of this locality, by setting up of one flagship building and five quarters for medical staff. CADC government is not sitting idle, caressing these buildings and basking over this achievement but have been working day and night to carry on this vision forward and further. CADC is well aware that the job is not yet complete and hence, has been trying various permutation and combination. Presently, it is under consultation with the Directorate of Health Services, Government of Mizoram to give this project a life under PPP model on the basis of shared fund contribution. Why PPP model? PPP model involves participation of more than one stakeholder and hence, can ensure better service. If the Govt. of Mizoram is convinced, CADC ought to be ready with its share of fund under the model and hence, in anticipation CADC already prepared itself with fund provision to the tune of about Rs.50.00 lakhs under BRGF. This speaks volume of CADC’s sincere intention.

Whereas, instead of appreciating the sincere effort that CADC has put in, so far, to operationalize the PHC, starting with setting up of the required infrastructures, MCDF has been misguiding the public through campaign in the electronic and print media and by distributing leaflets. Had the fund so sanctioned, so far, been not utilized towards the cause, CADC would have welcomed their concern.

MCDF alleging that the CEM, CADC is against operationalization of PHC, Borapansury premised on the ground that contributions collected from SSA teachers, through official deduction, towards MCDF fund have been blocked by him, is not wholly true. The CEM, CADC intervened after receiving complaint from staff about the donation being made through official deduction. The CEM, CADC has acted upon to avoid setting a precedent of making private collection through official deduction. The CEM, CADC made his stand clear on the issue that he has no objection against any individual making donation towards the cause launched by MCDF.

CADC’s Budget 2012-2013 Passed

Kamalanagar, August 2: Chakma Autonomous District Council’s Regular Budget 2012-13 placed in the first sitting of this Monsoon Session has been discussed and passed unanimously today in its fourth and final sitting.

The budget allocation for the current financial year has been earmarked at Rs.2858.00 lakhs under Non-plan, Rs.45.00 lakhs under Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Rs.3487.00 lakhs under plan sector. There has been a jump in fund allocation under plan sector by more than triple with reference to that of previous financial year. The enormous increase is attributable to allocation made under RKVY at Rs.700.00 lakhs, under TFC at Rs.266.00 lakhs, under Minor Irrigation (AIBP) at Rs.700.00 lakhs, under State Priority Project at Rs.150.00 lakhs and under SCA for clearance of pending liabilities at Rs.400.00 lakhs. Therefore, the actual normal Annual Plan Fund for this year stands at Rs.1271.00 lakhs of which Rs.1062.58 laks is earmarked for salary. The rest of the amount is allotted for Administrative costs and Minor Works.

In his budget speech the Chief Executive Member asserted for a robust Local Revenue target of Rs.98.70 lakhs and sought the cooperation of all the concerned officials of CADC to achieve the target.

The budget also reflected a deficit of Rs.888.38 lakhs against salary/arrear, Rs.44.31 lakhs against salary and Rs.24.06 under non-plan sector, plan sector and under NLCPR respectively. The CEM, CADC expressed his hope to cover up the deficit under plan and non-plan sector by means of additional allocation in the form of Supplementary Grant in due course of time against which Govt. of Mizoram has already been informed.

The opposition expressed their reservation about the budget being burdened by a huge deficit. They were also concern regarding many of the Departments not being given any allocation in the Budget.

The Hon’ble Chief Executive Member Sri Kali Kumar Tongchangya and mover of the Budget, while taking on the concern of the opposition said that the Council’s fund position being extremely tight, the Executive Committee have taken up to make fund provision to those Departments without allocation, through centrally sponsored projects. He informed the House that a project at an estimated cost of Rs.4.98 crores is being pursued with NEC to create a state of the art sport complex at Kamalanagar. “In collaboration with the State PHE Department a greater water supply scheme, tapping the Chawngte Lui, for Chawngte area is being aggressively pursued and is under process”, he said .

The CEM hailed this budget as people welfare budget as Rs.14.00 crores have been dedicated to boost agricultural productivity, given the fact that more 90% of CADC’s population is agriculture dependent.

CADC Session On Day-3

Kamalanagar, August 01: Chakma Autonomous District Council Monsoon Session continued into its Day-3.

The day has seen the laying of Gazette notified Rules of “The Chakma Autonomous District Council (Constitution, Conduct of Business etc.) (Amendment) Rules, 2011” and “The Chakma Autonomous District Council (Village Councils) (Amendment) Act, 2011”.

Shri Purna Muni Chakma, Deputy Chairman, CADC and Chairman of the Audit Committee to review the Report of C&AG of India for the financial years 2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 in respect of Chakma Autonomous District Council, placed his Report before the house for discussion. The Report of C&AG of India stated the absence of internal audit mechanism in CADC, although Rule 144 of the Mizoram Autonomous District Council Fund Rules, 1996 requires the CADC to introduce a suitable system for internal audit within the Council with approval of the Governor and in consultation with the State Accountant General. While accepting the statement, the Report of the Audit Committee, CADC urged the Executive Committee, CADC to undertake necessary action to introduce appropriate internal control mechanism and internal audit to ensure prudent financial management, checks on financial irregularities and to provide assurance to the management about the protection of assets and reliability of information.

The Report of the C&AG of India also stated about the engagement of huge number of staff by CADC without the existence of approved staffing pattern. The report laid by the Audit Committee, CADC while accepting the fact of the absence of any staffing pattern, stated that the Executive Committee, CADC has already acted upon the anomaly and submitted the Staffing Pattern of the District Council for approval of the State Government early this year.

The Session was adjourned till tomorrow after the Report of the Audit Committee, CADC got passed unanimously.

CADC Budget Session – Day-2

Kamalanagar, July 31:Chakma Autonomous District Council’s Monsoon Session continued into its second day. The day was devoted to a single agenda of moving the bill of Chakma Autonomous District Council (Constitution and Conduct of Business, etc.,) (Amendment) Rules, 2012.

Earlier, in the Summer Session the same amendment bill was moved by the Hon’ble Chief Executive Member, CADC for consideration in the House. It was then felt after prolong discussion, that it should be referred to a three member Select Committee for further study and accordingly a Committee was formed for the purpose, comprising of members from both the political groups.

As scheduled the report of the Select Committee was tabled on the floor of the House for consideration. Almost all the recommendations of the Select Committee were agreed upon save an amendment pertaining to Rule 12(5)(a) seeking to remove the provision of disqualification of a member of District Council on the ground of defection from the mother political party. Finally the bill was passed on majority vote excluding the contentious portion.

If the bill gets the assent of His Excellency, the Governor of Mizoram the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of Electoral rolls for, and the conduct of Election to the District Council shall get vested in the State Election Commission. So far, since 1972, elections to the District Council were executed in the name of the Governor and the State Election Commission has had no roles.

The bill also seeks to introduce the use of electronic voting machine from the next MDC general Election by replacing the age old mode of ballot paper system of voting. By ushering in the use of technology in the electioneering process many of the election related discrepancies and disputes which are incidental to the process, shall be taken care of. It will ensure a freer and fair election in the District Council from now onwards.

Green Mizoram Week celebrated at CADC

Kamalanagar, June 11, 2012: Chakma Autonomous District Council set out to celebrate Mizoram Green Week starting from today till 16th June, under the aegis of Forest & Environment Department, CADC.

The celebration of the Green Mizoram Week was launched through a programme which was attended by the student and teacher communities of different schools of Kamalanagar and its adjacent areas.

The District Council Conservator of Forest, CADC in his speech announced to take up road side plantation along the Kamalanagar-Bajeisora Road. He also urged all the schools around Kamalanagar town area to participate in the celebration of the week by joining in planting trees at least around their respective school compound. He expressed his commitment to provide seedlings to all enthusiastic participants throughout the week.

The Hon’ble Chief Executive Member, CADC Sri Kali Kumar Tongchangya, while addressing the gathering at the programme, urged the teaching community to catch the coming generation young, while their minds are still impressionable, to get the message of the importance of a green world to our survival.

CADC’s Interim Budget resumed and concluded

Kamalanagar, April 2: The Chakma Autonomous District Council’s Interim Budget Session 2012-13 resumed today with the Second sitting of the Summer Session of the 8th Chakma Autonomous District Council.

The Question Hour discussed 16 numbers of unstarred questions and 4 numbers of starred questions.

The Interim Budget Estimate with allocation for fund amounting to Rs.470.00 Lakhs under Plan sector and Rs.953.00 lakhs under Non-Plan sector for the period April to July placed on Friday last, for vote on account, was discussed and debated for long.

The leader of the opposition Sri Rashik Mohan Chakma termed the Budget as anti-people.

The Budget has reflected a fund provision amounting to Rs.11.00 Crores under Centrally Sponsored Scheme for construction of new Secretariat Complex and Session Hall. It also made fund allocation to the tune of Rs.0.50 Crore towards the welfare of the economically downtrodden families. The first time Driving School started last year to generate employment opportunities for the unemployed youth, having been found to be drawing hordes of enthusiastic applicants, the budget kept fund provision to meet its increasing demand.

The Budget finally got passed unanimously with the support from the opposition bench as well.

In the evening session of the sitting an official Amendment Bill was moved by the Hon’ble Chief Executive Member for introducing use of EVM Machine in all future elections to the District Council in order to modernise the polling system and ensure free and fair election. However, after discussion it was felt that the Bill needs further study and accordingly the mover of the Bill proposed to forward it to a Select Committee to be reintroduced in the next Session, which was approved by the Chairman.

CADC’s Interim Budget 2012-13 placed

Kamalanagar, March 28 : Chakma Autonomous District Council’s interim Budget for the coming fiscal year 2012-13 has been placed today in the August House of the Council.

Rs.470.00 Lakhs under Plan sector and Rs.953.00 lakhs under Non-Plan sector were earmarked for the first four months of the fiscal year i.e. from April-July’ 2012. The allocation made under Non-Plan sector is 33.33% of the presently allocated total amount for Chakma Autonomous District Council, under Normal Grant-in-aid by the State Government. However, the Hon’ble Chief Executive Member, CADC in his Budget speech remarked that the alloted amount of Rs.2858.00 Lakhs for the current years fiscal budget under Normal Grant-in-aid (Non-Plan) is not sufficient to meet the whole fiscal year’s requirement for Salary, if the revised Rules for Councillors Salary & Allowences is to be implemented.

While, the Budget also made a projection for collection of Local Revenues of Rs.98.70 Lakhs against the previous year’s collection of Rs.89.62 Lakhs.

The Hon’ble Chief Executive member in his budget speech informed the House about the Council being empowered to take up developmental schemes under Plan sector with the recently entrusted Deparments of Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation and Minor Irrigation.

The Budget Session was ajourned at 12:15 till Friday and the next sitting was announced to be on Monday.

Winter Session held in CADC

Kamalanagar, the 30th Nov. 2011: Chakma Autonomous District Council had its Winter Session held today.

Amongst the various issues raised in the House, the issue of recent enhancement of power of the Autonomous District Council dominated. The opposition has been all loathe about the Notification of the Government of Mizoram. They feel that it has fallen far short of expectation considering the recommendation made by the Administrative Reform Commission constituted in 2005 where it has been envisaged for more power under 3(a) and 3(b) of the Sixth Schedule to Constitution of India. The Chief Executive Member Sri Kali Kumar Tongchangya countered the opposition while giving credit to the Congress Government in the State led by Pu Lalthanhawla who has been kind enough to promote the interest of the Councils.

GCI sheets distributed to the poor

Kamalanagar the 19th April’ 2011: Chakma Autonomous District Council witnessed yet another pro-poor people programme of the Government. GCI Sheets for roofing have been distributed to the rural poors as part of the Rural Housing Programme at Kamalanagar under RD Block, Chawngte.

Some 101 beneficiaries were selected under the Programme, from different villages of CADC. There are 69 Village Councils under CADC. Each of the packages contained 32 numbers of GCI Sheets measuring 9 feet.

Shri Nirupam Chakma, Hon’ble local MLA did the honour to give out the sheets to the beneficiaries. While he expressed his happiness about the Programme, he requested all the beneficiaries to make use of the sheets only for the purpose they were meant for and refrain from selling them for money.

Providing proper housing to the rural population has been one of the pet projects of the present Executive Committee of CADC. Since assuming power in 2008, it has been one of the areas which have received so much of attention from the Government. During 2007-08 as many as 153 households were given Rs.40,000.00 each under this programme of rural housing. Again, during 2009-2010 some 36 households were covered under the programme. Fund provisions for these were made under BRGF.

Shri K K Tong, Hon’ble CEM, CADC today, in his address to people declared that fund provision, for rural housing, under MSDP have been made to benefit as many as 750 families under the whole Lawngtlai District. ‘This apart’ he stated, ‘a petition to His Excellency, the Governor of Mizoram, for fund provision of Rs.4 crores for rural housing has received positive recommendation’.

Besides, today, some 81 villages and sub-villages were given 10 buckets each under MGNREGA for carrying drinking water to the worksite.