Aizawl: The Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) in Lawngtlai district, southern Mizoram, is grappling with a significant financial crisis stemming from persistent shortfalls in the allocation of funds, prompting urgent appeals for intervention.
A high-level delegation from the CADC, spearheaded by Chief Executive Member Molin Kumar Chakma, recently met with Governor General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd) to bring the critical financial situation to his attention and request his immediate assistance in resolving the issue.
During the meeting, the delegation conveyed the severe impact of the continuous shortfall in salary fund allocation, which has precipitated a salary deficit for council employees since December of the preceding year, creating considerable distress and operational challenges.
The CADC representatives highlighted that despite the recommendations put forth by the 2nd Mizoram State Finance Commission, which advocated for the CADC to receive 25.04 per cent of the total financial share designated for Autonomous District Councils, the actual fund allocations have consistently fallen below this proposed level.
Furthermore, the delegation informed the Governor that 33 development proposals, crucial for the progress and welfare of the region and submitted by the Council in the past year, have reportedly been omitted from the state government’s list of priority projects, raising concerns about the commitment to the area’s development.
The CADC also briefed the Governor on the pending sanction of a substantial sum of Rs 118.75 crore under the Border Area Development Programme, funds considered vital for addressing the long-standing underdevelopment and the hardships faced by residents of border villages who have been affected by displacement due to the ongoing India-Bangladesh border fencing.
Responding to the concerns raised, Governor General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd) assured the visiting delegation that the issues presented would receive his utmost attention and would be promptly taken up with the relevant authorities within the state government for appropriate action and resolution.
Established in 1972 under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, the CADC is an autonomous body created to safeguard the interests of the ethnic Chakma people, vested with legislative, executive, and judicial powers over specified departments within its territorial jurisdiction.
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