UKHRUL, Nov 25: In a strongly worded petition to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, retired Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax and former Outer Manipur (ST) Lok Sabha candidate K. Timothy Zimik has demanded the creation of a separate and independent budget for Manipur’s Hill Areas, arguing that decades of constitutional neglect and political marginalisation have pushed tribal communities into deep underdevelopment.

Describing himself as a Naga from Manipur with 36 years of service in the Ministry of Finance, Zimik said the condition of the hill people has deteriorated to such an extent that “only a separate budget can address the structural injustice inflicted since statehood.” He anchored his appeal on Article 371C, which mandates the President and Governor to oversee proper administration of the Hill Areas through the Hill Areas Committee (HAC).

Zimik argued that despite the 1972 Presidential Order establishing the HAC, neither the Union Government nor the Governor has taken steps to ensure its effective functioning. “The HAC today is virtually defunct,” he stated, alleging that successive Valley-dominated governments have systematically undermined the institution.

He also accused multiple Governors of failing to discharge their “special responsibility” to protect the Hill Areas, as mandated in Paragraph 9 of the 1972 Order.

The petition claimed that the Hill Areas remain structurally disadvantaged due to:

• Dominance of 40 Valley MLAs who “block hill-centric measures”;
• Failure to implement delimitation based on the 2001 Census, which he says would raise hill representation to at least 23–24 seats;
• Weak and ineffective Autonomous District Councils, which he described as “defunct, powerless and dependent entirely on the state government.”

He reiterated long-standing tribal demands for Sixth Schedule status, arguing that the current ADC setup offers no real autonomy or protection.

Highlighting stark developmental gaps, Zimik said that despite comprising 90% of Manipur’s landmass, the Hill Areas remain economically stunted, driving many poor farmers into poppy cultivation due to lack of livelihood options.

He further claimed that more than 51% of the funds allocated to Manipur through the 15th Finance Commission formula can be attributed to the Hill Areas — yet “only a fraction” reaches them due to systemic diversion of resources to the Imphal Valley.

The petition urged President Murmu to:
• Invoke her constitutional powers under Article 371C;
• Ensure equitable distribution of Central funds;
• Revive and empower the HAC;
• Replace current ADCs with genuine self-governing bodies;
• And, most urgently, create a separate budget exclusively for the Hill Areas.

Calling this “the only viable pathway” to restore justice, peace, and balanced development, Zimik warned that continued neglect would deepen the valley–hill divide and perpetuate instability.

The representation was also submitted to the Governor and the Chief Secretary of Manipur.