ULBs issues: Nagaland CM assures of concrete decision after discussion

April 16, 2023 25 Views No Comment

Kohima, April 16 (MExN): Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio on Saturday said that discussion with stakeholders will take place where concrete decision will be made for the good of the State on ULBs issue.

The State Government repealed the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 ‘in toto’ not to face same situation like in 2017, he told a felicitation programme organised by the Kohima District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) at DPDB Hall Kohima on April 15 for newly elected legislators from the district.

As per a DIPR report, discussing the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) elections, Rio maintained that the State Government had tried its best to bring more opportunities to its citizens, though many negative impacts and social unrest had been faced.

“Therefore, not to face same situation like in 2017, the government had repealed Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 in toto,” he added.

He further noted that the situation of the Nagas and Nagaland State was “very different and peculiar even during the advent of the British and the course of coming into agreement with the Government of India, through which a unique Act, i.e. Article 371(A) came into force.

On RIIN, village polity
Meanwhile, dwelling on the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), the Chief Minister said that the at Naga people are the native citizens of Nagaland and the village councils are the guardian of traditional and customary law.

Successfully implementation of RIIN depends on the village councils, he asserted at the felicitation-cum-monthly DPDB meeting.

To this end, he noted that village councils have the authority to issue Indigenous Inhabitant Certificates to any eligible citizen.

However, Rio also cautioned against misusing of the power, and said that such action may invite legal action from the government.

He also urged the district administration and police to assist in implementing RIIN in a corrective manner.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister further said that even British did not involve in the Naga village level as election process “becomes dirty and corrupt.”

Accordingly, he encouraged selection and head count process instead of election in the village level, to keep village affairs fair and transparent and to safeguard traditional and customary law and its governance.

‘Mirror of Nagaland’
Rio also sought active participation from all the district officers to make Kohima a real Smart City and said that officers who are posted in the state capital, the first district of Nagaland, are privileged.

Terming Kohima as the Mirror of Nagaland, he also urged every officers and stakeholders to give their best to keep Kohima city in proper place in terms of sanitation, beautification and other basic amenities.

He also lauded the district administration, police and other line departments for their efforts and effective cooperation for the successful conduct of G20/B20 Summit in Kohima and peaceful conduct of State General Election 2023.

The Chief Minister also suggested to hold DPDB meetings in different venues in coming days to make it more interesting and constructive by giving special emphasis on the particular area and to see the works that has been achieved and also to identify the developmental activities that are to be focused.

Rio also asked the district officers to be aware of the important historical places and tourism department to give more importance in training tourist guides with special focus in rural areas with basic facilities, as most tourists prefer such areas.

Apart from the Chief Minister, other newly elected legislators from the district – Minister for Women Resource Development & Horticulture, Salhoutuonuo Kruse; Advisor Prisons, Printing & Stationeries, Er Kropol Vitsu; MLA Kevipodi Sophie and MLA Tseilhoutuo Rhutso attended the felicitation.

Meanwhile, Chairman DPDB & Advisor Er. Kropol Vitsu urged members to extend full cooperation and contribute constructive suggestions for the development of the district.

He also called upon the members to be regular and take active part in the forum to contribute something for the welfare of the public and become a role model to the other district.