Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 15
The 19th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly today passed the Nagaland Lokayukta Bill 2015 with some amendments and revoked the Assembly resolution on the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 which was passed on November 24, 2016.
“We have brought this Nagaland Lokayukta Bill in July 2015 itself, which was referred to the Select Committee under the chairmanship of Er. Levi Rengma. The Committee has done a good job of making some valuable recommendations. We have accepted most of the recommendations of the Select Committee,” Zeliang said on the floor of the House.
He said the State Government has thus redeemed a promise given to the people of Nagaland that an anti-corruption Ombudsman (Lokayukta) will be established in the State. “We have lived up to the expectations of the people and the pressure groups. By enacting this Bill, we have joined the comity of a large number of states in India, which have established this Institution,” Zeliang said.
Yitachu, MLA
“With the passing of Lokayukta Bill, a lot transformation and positive things will take place. With this, the citizens and people of the state will see a lot of positive changes.”
N.Thomas Ngullie, Parliamentary Secretary
“This Lokayukta is going to play a very important role in checking corruption in our state. Lokayukta is going to expose the corrupt politicians as well as the bureaucrats and technocrats.”
He however pointed out that by merely enacting a law like this will not be able to reduce or abolish corruption in public life but every single citizen must be committed to probity both in his personal and public lives. Then only the law will become a success.
“Some stake holders who are in disagreement with us over the provisions of the Bill must realize that everything cannot be begun perfectly, but humbly. This is our humble beginning aimed at cleansing the public life,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the people and civil societies can now evaluate the law in action while adding, “We can always the law to plug the loopholes and we can always keep improving the text of the law so that the efficiency of the law is periodically enhanced.”
Power to Vigilance Commission
Later, talking to media persons, Zeliang said the Vigilance Commission has now the power to investigate into any kind of allegation, the power to search any house with warrant, the power to arrest any culprit and the power to convict them also.
Stating that all powers are vested on Vigilance Commission and CBI also, he however said “But it depends on how the agency implements and execute and it depend on how the people want this law to be implemented successfully.” He said the state government will pass the Act and agency will be appointed “but if the people do not cooperate for implementation, the Act will become only a paper.”
NLA revoke Assembly resolution on NMA 2001
Before moving the Nagaland Municipal Act (NMA) 2001 for adoption, Chief Minister, TR Zeliang appraised the history of the Municipal Amendments and Elections in Nagaland. Zeliang who moved for consideration and passing of the Act said it was amended in 2006 for providing reservation of seats for women in Municipalities.
Neiba Kronu, MLA
The revocation doesn’t mean women’s rights are denied since there can be special provision for women in the future. Article 243T did not go down well with the Naga civil societies since it was imposed on them, we can have special reservations according to our own laws.”
However, due to opposition and pressure from civil societies, the tribal hohos, their apex bodies and other groups, women reservation in municipalities could not be implemented. Women reservation is therefore still in the statute. This statute has not been amended even today.
Because the law was not implemented, the women groups dragged the government to the Courts and have been in a legal battle for more than a decade- the latest case is now before the Supreme Court of India as filed by the People’s Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL).
For more than a decade, elections to municipalities have also not been held. The Government of India has also been not releasing funds for various activities of the municipalities since elections to the ULBs were not conducted. Zeliang pointed out that under the pressure of the tribal Hohos and apex bodies and other civil societies, the government had brought the resolution in the House for exempting Nagaland from the application of article 243T of the Constitution of India which was passed in 2012.
He said in view of this conflict between the general public opinion and the opinion of the women groups, the government has decided to rescind the resolution dated November 24, 2016 and restore the position to the resolution of the House dated September 22, 2012 passed under article 371A (1) (a) that exempts Nagaland from article 243T of the Constitution of India.
“However, this is not the end of the road for anyone. The doors of the government are open for all for dialogue, discussion and a rational decision. The view of the government is that the entire Municipal Act requires a thorough review,” Zeliang said.
He also informed that an expert Committee with proper terms of reference would be appointed so that the Act is revamped accommodating all the interests including the interests of the women groups so that, in place of conflict, consensus prevails.
12th NLA winter session adjourned sine- die
After completing two-day proceedings of the 19th session of the 12th NLA here, NLA speaker Dr. Imtiwapang Aier today adjourned the session sine-die.
Friday’s proceeding witnessed passing of two government resolutions- Naga political issue and revoking the assembly resolution dated 24.11.2016 on Nagaland Municipal Act 2001. The Nagaland Lokayukta Bill, 2015 has also been passed with some amendments.
The Nagaland Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1978 (First Amendment) Bill, 2017 moved by parliamentary secretary for transport & civil aviation P. Paiwang Konyak was also passed on the floor of the House.
Earlier, minister for health & family welfare Imkong L. Imchen laid the Nagaland Health Service Rule (Amendment), 2017.
Govt resolution on Naga political issue adopted
The 19th session of the 12th NLA today adopted four-point resolution on the Naga political issue. The NLA has urged upon the Government of India to take emergent and extraordinary steps to usher in an honourable and acceptable solution to the Naga political issue well before the general elections to the 13th NLA slated in March 2018. It also urged upon the Election Commission of India not to announce the general elections to the 13th NLA until the GoI arrives at an honourable and acceptable solution to the Naga political issue in order to enable all Nagas to enjoy their due democratic and other rights and function as a more empowered electorate during the elections that may be held after the solution. It also called upon civil societies, tribal hohos, church and other organizations concerned, to cooperate with the vision of the state government in this regard. Further, the House called upon all political parties and Independent candidates to implement the demand for “Solution before election” in the field, whenever necessary, so that utmost unity is displayed before the Government of India and the Election Commission of India.
.JPG)
