Sanction for Kohima smart city project accorded
Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 15
Nagaland State Chief Minister, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu today said that the state government is contemplating re-writing the Nagaland Municipal Act and to start everything afresh.
The Nagaland Municipal Act was passed by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in 2001 and accordingly the first election was held in 2004. By that time 33% reservation for women was not there. But with the amendment of the Indian Constitution by the Parliament, the state had also amended the Nagaland Municipal Act in 2006 and included 33% reservation for women.
“But since then, we could not hold election due to various complaints from the Hohos and from other organizations. Till today, we are yet to decide how best we can sail on smoothly,” Dr. Liezietsu said while speaking during the laying of foundation stone for the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) building at Kezieke.
He however stated that a definite decision to rewrite the act is yet to be arrived at. “Let us see in due course of time, we would be able to hold our election and we would see that we sail on smoothly for the development of the towns,” he said.
It may be mentioned here that the Central Executive Council of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) had passed a resolution yesterday urging the State Government to set up a Consultative Committee comprising legal luminaries and to invite NGOs to solicit their views and opinions on the Nagaland Municipal Act, and pending holding of elections to the ULBs, to set up Advisory Committees in the ULBs so that the affairs of the ULBs can be handled by local leaders.
Dr. Liezietsu meanwhile also said that Kohima is about 138 years today. “We are supposed to develop far better than what we have today. But Kohima town ddid not have a pleasant history for many years,” he said. For this reason, development could not take place as desired or it should be, he added.
In 1944, the entire town was destroyed “The whole thing was destroyed during the 2nd World War when Japanese came here,” he remembered. Today, he said with semblance of peace, the town can march forward with development.
On the KMC building, Dr. Liezietsu said that it will become the most important and happening site of the town as many developments will take place in the area. He also assured that the state government will extend all possible assistance to construct the KMC building soon.
“Kohima Municipal Council should be the model for all our municipal and town councils in Nagaland,” he added.
During the event, Parliamentary Secretary for Municipal Affairs, R Tohanba said the sanction which has to be given by the ministry for Kohima Smart City Project has already been accorded.
He was hopeful that the under the tenure of Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu, laying of foundation as well as inauguration of Kohima Smart City Project would be done.
Tohanba also informed that the state government was trying to streamline all necessary guidelines and functioning of the municipalities as well as ULBs in the entire state. He further acknowledged the CM for according the sanction to construct the KMC office building.
