Nagaland ULB polls: Govt reaches consensus with stakeholders to hold ULB polls

Nagaland Government Spokesperson KG Kenye informed that the government is preparing to bring a new Act

The Nagaland Government has almost reached a consensus with all stakeholders to hold Urban Local Body (ULB) elections with 33% reservation for women. In fact the government is making all preparations to bring a new Act for the purpose.

Nagaland government spokesperson and cabinet minister KG Kenye informed about this all important development after a consultative meeting with Civil Society Orgnisations (CSOs) held at Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s official residence in Kohima today.

Briefing newspersons, KG Kenye stated, “The government has been assuring that it will lose no time in bringing about a new Act, an Act of our own for the Municipal Councils. That is under preparation. Today the draft proposal could not be brought to the consultative meeting because it is under serious review. It will have to undergo the scrutiny of the cabinet, the govt, and the panel which has been formed also.”

Kenye further said, “With further conslutations before the State Assembly starts (September 11) the final draft will be prepared. But, it was extensively deliberated and the 33% reservation Bill for women has been more or less accepted by one and all, that it will be okay if we have the reservation and conduct the elections. So, the other areas discussed were like the exclusion, permission, deletion of certain words like tax which actually does not go down well with our people. So those will be rectified and itwill be presented in a different way where the people should understand that whatever fees or in the form of donations will be collected from the citizens or people of those wards falling under the Municipalities or Town Councils will remain with them. This will not come to the ex-chequer.”

Kenye assured, “After these explanations and with very good suggestions from the stakeholders, the final touches to this draft will be made. After that we will be bringing the new law for the enactment in the coming Assembly Session, this September 11.”

It may be mentioned, that several civil organizations had opposed the holding of the ULB election, unless the state government amends the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 on assertions that the Act infringes Article 371 A of the Constitution of India which grants special privileges to Nagas.

Apart from this, discussions also centred on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and Forest Conservation Act (FCA) in the consultative meeting.

On both the issues, Kenye said, “UCC is a contentious bill laid in the parliament on 2020. Many groups and individuals have already voiced their opinions. Basing on Art 371 (A) it is clear that UCC is opposed and the house wish to pass a resolution in the upcoming Assembly.

FCA cannot be accepted by Nagaland. This also goes back to Art 371 (A). The will of the people stands out and here too, the house have wished for a resolution to be passed in the assembly opposing it.”

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