Nagaland: Municipal Bill, 2023 passed with 33% reservation for women

Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 10

In a significant development, the Nagaland Municipal Bill (NMB), 2023 with provision for 33% reservation for women in municipal bodies, was passed today at the third session (Emergent session) of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) in Kohima.

The Bill was passed unanimously on the floor of the House after it was moved for consideration by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. 
Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang, who is also convenor of Select Committee to examine the Bill, presented the “Report of the Select Committee on the NMB 2023” and later adopted by the House.

Zeliang highlighted that after thorough deliberation with other elected members of the committee, the Chief Secretary, department officials, and the apex civil society organizations, the bill was recommended to be passed in the Assembly. With the passing of the NMB, 2023, NLA Speaker Sharingain Longkumer adjourned the emergent session sine die.

“With the passage of the new Nagaland Municipal (Bill), 2023, “let us hope that the new Urban Local Bodies would be able to take the required steps to make our cities and towns better administered, more developed, more organised, more clean and more beautiful,” Rio told the floor of the House. 

Later talking to media persons, Rio said that everybody has agreed and if there is any doubt “we will make them understand and bring everybody on board.” On being asked when election to ULBs will be announced, Rio said that the process has started and once it is notified, the process will begin.

In the discussion, Zeliang expressed happiness that “this Bill will finally see the light of the day with 33% women reservation” and gave his consent in support of the Bill.

Through this Bill, he said, “our women will get the much needed boost to be elected representatives in the ULBs and be part of the decision making body for our municipals and towns.”

He appealed all Naga brothers and sisters, to lend their support to this Bill “and not hold any reservation in your mind and together let us march ahead for all round development of our towns and state in general.” Let us be united and leave a legacy for posterity to benefit and appreciate for the little things we have collectively done, he added.

Parliamentary affairs minister KG Kenye said that 33% women reservation provision in the NMB, 2023 will open up the gate to a whole lot of opportunities and dispensations.

On NMB, 2023, he said “This is an Act of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. This is no more a Central Act of 2001 and therefore, we have the liberty to make as many amendments as we wish to, wherever logic prevails and we feel the need to make amendments by way of addition, by way of deletion, alteration, we can always bring it back to this House.”

Achumbemo Kikon from NPF expressed happiness that the civil societies have come to sense and understood the importance of empowering women. “Men has to respect women and take them along with us in the decision making,” he said adding that with the passing of NMB 2023 with provision of 33% reservation for women in municipal bodies, it will pave way in strengthening women.

Dr Sukhato A Sema from the LJP (RV) expressed happiness that Nagaland is going to see the light of NMB 2023 in reality, Dr Sukhato said by passing this Bill, the people of Nagaland will be immensely benefited in getting better power supply, better water supply, better health & sanitation, better road, betterment in the maintenance of streetlights, drainage system, waste disposal etc. With the passing of this bill, we will be able to establish more charitable teaching institutes, dispensaries, hospitals, old age homes, he said.

Nuklutoshi Longkumer of NPP said, “It is very unfortunate that Naga people had taken 20 years of previous opportunity to come to this stage. In 22 years, we have loss time, energy and crores and crores of developmental funds for not conducting municipal and town council elections,” he said. He said that almost 98% of the people have come to understand the importance of ULB elections after rigorous consultative meetings over the years.

Er. Picto Shohe from NCP said, “As we all agreed to accept women reservation clause, there should not be a problem in implementing the Bill. Moreover, the tax on land, property and also the reservation of chairperson for women is also deleted which would be acceptable to all.” Having gone through the Bill and found that some contentious issues have been deleted, which were raised by the civil society organisations, is very much appreciated, he added.

Jwenga Seb from the JDU said, “This crucial piece of legislation marks a significant milestone in the development of our state and the empowerment of our people. It is a testament to the progressive mindset of our government and the collective aspirations of the people of Nagaland.”

Stating that one of the most commendable aspects of this bill is the provision for 33% reservation for women in municipal bodies, Seb said, “This step towards gender equality is not only a welcome move but also a much-needed one. By ensuring that women have a fair representation in local governance, we are fostering an inclusive society where all voices are heard and all perspectives are considered.”

Imkong L Imchen on behalf of the BJP, Kevipodi Sophie on behalf of Independent legislators, Y Lima Onen Chang (RPI) and TN Manen (NDPP) also shared their views and endorsed the passing of the Bill.