Select Committee to move forward with ‘amended recommendations’ for Nagaland Municipal (Bill)

November 7, 2023 28 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Kohima | November 7

The Select Committee on the Nagaland Municipal (Bill) 2023 has decided to move forward with what they termed as their amended recommendations.

The ‘recommendations’ include the omission of women reservation for the chairperson of the council and property tax. Eligibility criteria for ULB elections will require individuals to be indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland.

It may however be noted that the provisions for property tax and reserving the posts of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson for women members are already not featured in the new bill, which was introduced in the Monsoon session of the NLA, on September 12. The Bill was referred to a 7-member ministerial Select Committee headed by the Deputy Chief Minister, TR Zeliang as Convenor.

Zeliang, while announcing the decision at a press conference today, however included them as part of the Committee’s recommendations.

This decision was announced after the committee held a consultative meeting with three key bodies. The Select Committee will submit their recommendations to the Assembly before the session scheduled on November 9.

Addressing media personnel, Zeliang said the select committee held the meeting with the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation, Tenyimi Union Nagaland and Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) along with the Assembly Secretariat and the Chief Secretary, J Alam.

Describing today’s meeting as a ‘fruitful’ discussion; he informed that the committee will submit its recommendations to the Assembly before the session scheduled on November 9.

He exuded optimism stating “hopefully, this amendment of Nagaland Municipal Act 2023 will be passed consensually in the Assembly” adding that there were no adverse opinions from the tribal leaders and the three apex bodies.

While several meetings were held with the tribal bodies and organisations on this issue, Zeliang maintained that today’s consultative meeting has taken place “because the present government’s respect for the contention of the people.” On the other hand, we also respect the Supreme Court, he added.

Taking these into consideration, he asserted that it has decided to go ahead with its recommendations.

“Based on today’s meeting, we are hopeful that everything will go smoothly and ULB elections will be conducted peacefully.

From now on we can march forward with development activities in our councils and municipals in our state, stated Zeliang.

When asked, the Deputy Chief Minister informed that though the final call will be taken at the State Assembly, as far as the Select Committee is concerned, its recommendations include omission of women reservation for chairperson of the council, tax on land and property and the eligibility criteria for ULB elections must be an indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland.

With instances of ‘retraction on decisions’ by tribal bodies and organisations in the past, Zeliang viewed that there shouldn’t be problems as the main contention of 33% reservation for women was accepted with magnanimity by the tribal bodies following several meetings.

“This decision was taken on our own volition and not on the direction of the Court or judgement delivered by the court. This is the decision of the people and it will be the decision of the State Assembly” stated Zeliang.

Further, responding to a query on the possibility of today’s decision being rejection by the tribal bodies, he said due to paucity of time, it could not invite all tribal bodies and organisations. However, he was confident that the three apex bodies as ‘responsible people’ will carry the message to their people as they represent their people.

Present in the press briefing were KG Kenye, Minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs; Metsubo Jamir, Minister for Rural Development, SIRD and Zhaleo Rio, Advisor for Urban Development & Municipal Affairs.