Ram Muivah Slogan, "Mission Ukhrul" a household name in Ukl
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| (Ram Muivah) |
( You and I are on a mission.Never forget that we have a vision. I will be with you in whenever I can in a humble way. My door is open.)
I have a sense of mission to transform Ukhrul as the Jerusalem of Manipur.
Ukhrul deserves a better fate, says Ram Muivah
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HungHao Bureau
UKHRUL,Feb' 25,2022: EXPRESSING concern that Ukhrul district is lagging behind in many areas of development, Retd. IAS Ram Muivah said that the district certainly deserved more than what it is or it has in the present – a better fate.
“We certainly need and deserve more than what we have today considering the population and the geographical areas we have,” said the NPF candidate for 44-Ukhrul AC during a press conference held at his office at Greendland in Ukhrul town here on Thursday.
Briefing the press, Ram Muivah said that Ukhrul AC alone has as many as 47,706 voters which is larger than most of the constituencies in the valleys.
“The total number of voters for most of the valley constituencies is less than 30,000. For example, Sagolband AC has only 22,913 voters, which is half less than the number of Ukhrul AC voters,” he said.
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According to Mr. Muivah, the tribal population in the hill districts constitutes about 45% of the total population of the Manipur state.
“But they are represented by 19 MLAs only out of the 60 MLAs in the state Assembly,” he continued, while adding that this is the reason why the hill areas are lagging behind the valleys in terms of development.
He recalled that the Constitution of Manipur was drafted back in 1947 and during the period of 1950-60s, Ukhrul district had 5 ACs represented by 5 MLAs.
During that period, there were only 52 MLAs in the state Assembly including two nominees.
“But unfortunately, the number Ukhrul MLAs was cut down to just 3 MLAs in 1970s,” he lamented.
Now, the proposed delimitation in Manipur is critically vital for the future of the people, he noted.
“Democracy is the rule of the majority. The more MLAs we have, the more benefits we will get,” he said.
Accordingly, people’s representation should be based on the population rather than the interests of the majority community, he observed, adding that it would help the parliamentary democracy or the democratic form of government to function properly in the state.
“So, it will be my endeavour to pursue early implementation of the delimitation and also as per the wish of the people,” he assured.
Along this line, Eno. Muivah refuted the rumour of a conspiracy to fragment Hunphun and Hungpung villages in the event of implementing the proposed delimitation.
“As far as I know, this isn’t correct. And, I don’t think it’s appropriate for anyone to use this rumour as election propaganda against me,” he clarified.
He also called for the rumour mongers to provide valid proof to back up their claims, which was a cheap election propaganda.
“If anyone has proof of this claim, or of a false proposal submitted against the wish of the people,” he said, “we must immediately write to the Delimitation Commission or the Prime Minister and let them know that it was done in personal interest.”
Ram Muivah then informed that being immensely concerned about the delimitation, he is a part of the forum formed in connection with the delimitation process, a few years ago.
He said that the forum is headed by Retd. Chief Justice W.A. Shishak as Chairman, Retd. Income Tax Commissioner Home Raikhan as convenor, and him and a few others as executive members.
The fate of the proposed MADC Bill 2021 is also hanging precariously in the balance.
Muivah said that he’s fully committed to pursue early and successful implementation of the bill. “The bill is crucial for the district councils to have meaningful autonomy and exercise their legitimate powers and functions,” he said.
Similarly, Article 371C has not been implemented in letter and spirit in the hill districts of the state.
He said that it is a provision stipulated by the Indian Constitution and that failure to implement the same has been a big setback for the tribals in exercising their legitimate rights.
Meanwhile, the former bureaucrat clarified on the inclusion of some of the successful NEC development projects in his Mission Ukhrul’s Vision Document.
He said that the purpose of including the projects is share with the public how he had endeavoured to do for the district in his capacity during his tenure as secretary of NEC.
“After all, these projects would not have happened if I had not taken the initiative to implement them,” he said.
While explaining his Slogan "MISSION UKHRUL‘" Want to give back to God the blessings I’ve received’ Ukhrul deserves a better fate, says Ram Muivah.
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| ( Realising Vision document ) |
Ram Muivah’s chief strategist and former TNL president Artax A Shimray, among others, were also present at the press conference.
