Civil body criticise Mizo govt for delay in municipality set up

Aizawl, Feb 11 (UNI) The Mizoram Municipal Steering Committee (MMSC) lambasted the state government for constituting Aizawl Development Authority (ADA).

MMSC accused Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who was the ADA Chairman, of delaying the process of setting up of the urban local body in the state.

MMSC Chairman C.Lalramdina alleged that the state government had constituted the ADA unconstitutionaly to avoid having a municipality.

The Mizoram Municipality Bill was first drafted in 2002 to receive funds from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

Mr Lalramdina said the state government had tried to foist the ADA and the newly established Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department as authorities through which JNNURM could be released by the Centre.

However, the Centre had rejected both bodies and asked for an urban local body for JNNURM fund.

According to MMSC, there was a proposal of having 16 wards for the Aizawl Municipal Council and an estimate of Rs 59 lakh had been made for this purpose, funds for which will be coming from the Local Body Grant of Rs 200 lakh that the 12th Finance Commission had allocated for Mizoram.

UNI