The Nagaland
Assembly unanimously passed the Nagaland Municipal Bill 2023, reserving
one-third of seats in urban local bodies (ULBs) for women.
The decision comes
after a long-standing debate and numerous bids to reach an agreement on the
matter during an emergent session on Thursday.
Chief Minister
Neiphiu Rio, while presenting the bill, highlighted that the provisions related
to taxes on land and buildings have been excluded from the new legislation.
The one-third
reservation for women in ULBs was deemed necessary to adhere to the clear
directions of the Supreme Court and was also accepted by apex tribal bodies in
the State.
However, the bill
does not include the provision for one-third reservation of the offices of the
chairperson in ULBs for women, which was part of the earlier Municipal Act.
Chief Minister Rio
expressed, “This law is not the end, but only a beginning,” emphasizing that it
is time for women to actively participate and contribute to the administration
of urban local bodies.
The decision to
pass the Nagaland Municipal Bill 2023 was prompted by several attempts over the
past two decades to hold ULB elections in Nagaland, which were marred by
unfortunate incidents.
The Select
Committee, consisting of seven members of the House and led by Deputy Chief
Minister TR Zeliang, examined the bill and recommended the incorporation of
additional clauses.
One of the
recommendations is that only indigenous inhabitants of the state should be
eligible to become members of any municipal or town council. Additionally, it
was proposed that the Municipal Act should be reviewed periodically every 10
years, aligning with the views of many Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
Nagaland, which
may be a late starter in the process of urbanization, has seen rapid
urbanization in recent years, with 39 urban local bodies now in the State. The
government aims to provide the growing urban population with the necessary
infrastructure and amenities through local self-governance.
With the passage
of the new Nagaland Municipal Bill 2023, it is expected that ULBs will be
better administered, more developed, organized, clean, and beautiful.
All political
parties in the Assembly, including NDPP, BJP, NCP, NPP, LJP (Ram Vilas), Naga
People’s Front, RPI (Athawale), JD(U), and Independent, participated in
discussions and supported the bill’s passage.
Following the
unanimous approval of the bill, the State Election Commission is expected to
announce the dates for ULB elections soon.
Despite the
historic passage of the bill, the government will continue discussions with
tribal bodies that oppose the 33 per cent women reservation, such as the Ao
Senden from Mokokchung district.
ULB elections in
Nagaland had been long overdue, with the last polls held in 2004. Delays were
initially due to unresolved Naga peace talks, followed by Opposition to the 33
per cent women reservation, as directed by the Supreme Court, by various tribal
bodies.
The Assembly,
during its March session, repealed the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001, and
embarked on crafting a new law that incorporates the views of tribal bodies and
civil society organizations.
Tribal bodies had
been opposed to women’s reservation, citing concerns about its compatibility
with Naga customary practices.
Additionally, they
had objections to the proposed tax on land and properties, claiming it
contradicted Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees
special rights to Nagas on land and property.
However, the
government convened a consultative meeting on September 1, where it was decided
to hold ULB elections with the women’s quota and introduce the new bill in the
monsoon session of the Assembly.
The Assembly
Select Committee held a consultative meeting on November 6 with apex tribal
bodies, including the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation, Central Nagaland
Tribes Council, and Tenyimia Union Nagaland, which led to a consensus in favor
of passing the new bill.
PTI
