Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla on Monday informed the state legislative assembly that the financial mismanagement in the three autonomous district councils have become a headache for the Governor.
In reply to the question raised by MNF legislator Dr K Beichhua, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla who also holds the portfolio of district council affairs said there were financial misappropriations by the council members of the Chakma Autonomous District Council and that the misappropriation of funds led to the suspension of the district council.
“The misappropriation of funds have become a headache for the Governor, since the district councils have their own autonomy under the 6th schedule of the Indian constitution, infringement to their autonomy can become a direct violation of the constitution, it is very difficult for the state government to poke into their every financial proceedings, however the state government has done everything to minimise their financial mismanagement,” Lal Thanhawla said.
Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla also said there have been several deliberations on the funding pattern of the district councils of Mizoram. “We have even sought the advice of the Centre whether direct funding pattern would be more appropriate,” the Mizo chief minister said.
The chief minister’s remark on the CADC was followed by the announcement of Congress candidates at Congress Bhavan for the coming CADC election slated for April 20. Lal Thanhawla presented the list of candidates which include all the members of the then suspended CADC members.
“All the Congress council members of the suspended CADC are included in the list, none of them were dropped,” Lal Thanhawla said.
The CADC had faced a tumultuous session, before its suspension by the Governor, leadership tussle among the Congress members disrupted the council for at least three times.
Mizoram has three autonomous district councils under the 6th schedule of the Indian constitution, one each for the Lais, Maras and the Chakmas in southern districts of Siaha, Lawngtlai and Lunglei districts.