In the latest political development in Chakma Autonomous District Council, Rasik Mohan Chakma of MNF has been disqualified as a member of the council.
Mizo National Front (MNF) member Rasik Mohan Chakma has been disqualified for holding “office of profit” in violation of the council constitution and conduct of business rules, 2002, an official statement said on Monday.
The statement issued by the Council’s information and public relations department said Rasik Mohan Chakma, who was a legislator of Mizoram Assembly from 2003 to 2006, has drawn salary as a council member simultaneously with a pension of MLA.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Also read: Mizoram reports 2 more Covid19 deaths, 1,731 new cases
Following the complaints filed by a member one year ago and by 5 other members recently, council chairman Mohan Chakma on September 17 issued a show-cause notice to the member seeking explanation on his alleged violation of Rule 12(1)(a) of the CADC (Constitution and Conduct of Business, etc.) Rules, 2002 and Section 15(5)(c) of the Mizoram Salaries, Allowances and Pension of the members of Legislative Assembly Act, 1999, it said.
He was given a three-day time to give an explanation on why he should not be disqualified for allegedly breaching the established rules, which is tantamount to “office of profit.”
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Also read: Rhino horns burning to be mega show in presence of Assam CM, 10 ministers
“As the explanation submitted by Rasik Mohan Chakma was found to be unsatisfactory, he has been held guilty of the charges, which prompted the Chairman to disqualify him from the membership of the council,” the statement said.
All the benefits and privileges due to the member shall stand withdrawn due to his disqualification for a period of five years, it said.
The veteran politician and Chakma leader has been elected five times as a member of the Chakma council from Borapansury constituency since 1993 and had become the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the council three times between 1999 and 2021.
He was elected to the Mizoram Assembly while being the CEM of CADC in 2003 and resigned as a legislator in 2006 following the passing of Mizoram State Legislature Members’ (Removal of Disqualification) (Amendment) Bill 2006.
This Bill forbids a legislator to simultaneously hold the position of Chief Executive Member of an autonomous district council.
Rasik Mohan Chakma was re-elected to the CADC in 2018 council election and assumed the office of CEM in January 2019.
He resigned from the CEM post voluntarily on March 29 this year to pave way for the sitting CEM, Durjya Dhan Chakma.
The CADC was created in 1972 for the Chakma tribals living in south-westeern part of Mizoram. Its headquarters is located at Chawngte (Kamalanager) in Lawngtlai district.
With the disqualification of Rasik Mohan Chakma, the ruling MNF now has 18 members and the BJP has 1 in the 20-member council.