Lawngtlai, February 1: The Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) has announced the suspension of all Muster Roll engagements with effect from February 1. The decision follows an assessment and recommendation by the LADC Finance Department in view of the council’s strained financial position.
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| The Secretariat of the Lai Autonomous District Council (LADC) at Lawngtlai |
According to officials, the council is facing a shortfall in revenue inflow and a mismatch between income and expenditure, making cost-cutting measures unavoidable. In this context, all Muster Roll works undertaken between September 1 and December 11 last year will remain suspended from February 1, as directed by the LADC Executive Secretary.
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During recent discussions within the LADC, leaders from both the ruling side and the opposition emphasized the urgent need for financial discipline and improved coordination to stabilize the council’s finances. They pointed out that the number of employees under the council has increased significantly, and the heavy outgo on salaries has left little or no funds for developmental works.
The leaders also stressed that the new government must take bold and decisive steps to rationalize expenditure. It was further stated that across the three Autonomous District Councils, a large number of employees are engaged under the councils and draw salaries from the council budgets.
Some speakers alleged that appointments under the councils have often been used by ruling parties as tools for electoral gain and political accommodation. Others remarked that if proper attendance and work discipline were strictly enforced, many council employees would not be able to retain their positions.
It was also claimed that salaries constitute the single largest expenditure for the councils, with some councils reportedly spending more than 90 percent of their total budget on wages, leaving very limited resources for development activities.
