ULB Polls: Govt says clarification on tax has been made, orgs sceptical

March 22, 2023 18 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Kohima | March 22

Following the notification to conduct the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) election in the state on May 16, there have been discontentment and disagreements relating to ‘Tax on Land and Building.’

The contention remains on the terminology ‘omission, omitted and deleted’ in the third amendment to the Nagaland Municipal Act which came in effect in 2016.

The elected members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly held a meeting in this regard after the business session today.

Advisor for Urban Development, Municipal Affairs Zhaleo Rio talking to media personnel on this contentious issue said clarification on the amendment to ‘Tax on land and building’ has already been issued by the department.

He also informed that the meeting was held to explain the position of the government to the elected members, and that the government is prepared to conduct the ULB election and that it will not deviate.

Simultaneously a meeting was being held today with members of the Association of Kohima Municipal Ward Panchayat (AKMWO); All Ward Union Mokokchung Town (AWUMT); Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) and representatives of different civic bodies from nine districts namely Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Peren, Phek, Chumoukedima, Tuensang and Tseminyu today at Hotel 2K, Kohima.

Zasivikho Zakiesatuo, Chairman of the DUCCF, speaking with media persons said the meeting held in presence of 23 town councils and three municipalities discussed on the amendment of the ‘tax on land and building.’

He said that the members have resolved to urge the state government to review the entire contents of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001, its applicability and usages according to the reality and practicability of the Naga people, before the conduct of the elections.

Although the government has issued a clarification that ‘omission, omitted and deleted’ are three words that carry the same meaning, Zakiesatuo said the stand of the 36 town councils and three municipalities is that it should be ‘deleted.’
“The meeting also resolved not to allow any form of taxation on property i.e. land and buildings, either in municipalities or towns” it stated.

In this regard, he said that in the event of the government’s failure to review the NMC Act 2001, the three municipal unions and town councils will neither not participate nor allow any candidate to contest or file the nomination.

On being asked, he indicated that they do not have an issue with women reservation, and that if the government positively respond to its demand for amendment as desired by the people, it will not object to the conduct of ULB election.

Meanwhile, in a representation addressed to the Principal Secretary, Municipal Affairs, the AKMWP, DUCCF and AWUMT reiterated its earlier demand for ‘deletion’ of all the words and sentences in regard with property tax.

“If the government has agreed to our demand, we place our demand for official publication in the official gazette of the government of Nagaland, a copy of the booklet to be distributed to all the municipal and town councils, and for wide publication both in electronic and print media,” it stated.

While the government in its letter mentioned about the resolution adopted at the consultative meeting held at State Banquet Hall on March 9, 2022, it stated that “none of the three municipal unions were invited or attended the said consultative meeting, for which, we are not aware of the contents of the resolution (s) as such.”

The representation appended by President AKMWP, Thejao Sekhose, President DUCCF, Zasivikho Zakiesatuo and President, AWUMT, Limanunsang, also stated that it is in no way opposing the judgment of any court (s) in regard with the implementation or conduct of the election to the ULBs in Nagaland.

However, it added that the government should listen to the voice and views of the people, which is the demand of all the Naga people for total review of the NMC Act 2001.

“Therefore, we strongly urge upon the government to review/revamp or redraft the NMC Act 2001, according to its applicability with living standard(s) of Nagaland citizen, and taking into consideration of the social, customary and traditional practice of the Nagas before the government conducts the election to Urban Local Bodies” it further stated.