Dimapur, March 22 (MExN): As reported earlier on such a possibility, it is now confirmed that the Municipal election slated for April and the provision of 33% reservation for women in Municipals, have now been suspended. The Nagaland Legislative Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution today that the 33% Reservation of seats for women in decision-making institutions and the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 would be referred for review, to a select committee to be nominated by the Speaker. The committee is to act in accordance with Section 484 of the Act with instructions to report to the house within six months.
Further, the assembly has also unanimously resolved to suspend all ‘statutory processes’ towards conducting the municipal and town councils to be resumed after appropriate decisions have been taken by the government after the report is submitted to the committee. During discussions, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said members “being representatives of the people” have concern for public opinion in the matter. Further, he said that there is no point of argument and appealed for amicable settlement.
Congress Legislature Party leader Tokheho Yepthomi said Nagaland is confronted with ‘many issues’ and even in the case of the Retirement Act, the Congress leader said there was hue and cry from many quarters. The members should recollect what decisions were made earlier.
The CLP leader also said that the assembly did not take up the issue of 33 % Women Reservation during the Congress regime ‘knowing the issue as grave.’ However, he said, in 2006 the august house amended which was not through the select committee. He also observed that the population census shows that the ratio of men and women in the state is almost same. He also advised the house to be careful in the near future and ‘follow formalities’ and not to ‘commit any lapses.’
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the 60 legislators “represents our people” and the aspirations, desires and the interests of the people have to be looked into. Dwelling on the retirement act, the chief minister claimed that the decision was taken as per the “demand of the people” although the government realized sections of the state were going to be affected.
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