• ‘33% women’s reservation not the main bone of contention’
• ‘Sections which cover land building tax should be addressed’
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 12 (MExN): The Naga Hoho today issued a statement outlining the reasons for its concerns regarding implementation of the Nagaland Municipal Act vis a vis 33% women’s reservation in Urban Local Bodies.
In the statement, the Naga Hoho stated that the “33% reservation for women is just a component of the Municipal Act of 2001 and 2006 and therefore this is not the main bone of contention but the sections in the Act which covers Land and Building tax has to be addressed properly.”
It stated that the people in the state are the stake holders under the provision of Article 371 (A). Therefore, it said that any government of the day must consult with the public organization or civil body while interpreting the provision to safeguard the right of the people.
The Naga Hoho listed out certain sections of the Nagaland Municipal Act, which it said would infringe upon Article 371 (A).
Noting that the land holding system in the state of Nagaland is different from other parts of the country, the Naga Hoho stated that the Government is not the landowner; and that “for initiation of developmental activities, the Government acquires the land from the private individuals by way of purchase/paying compensation.”
It said that considering the peculiarity of the land holding system in Nagaland, the Government needs to amend the aforementioned sections of the Municipal Act by exempting the private landowner from payment of land tax to the Government. “Naga people must ponder on the question of Land and Building tax with all seriousness,” it added.
Regarding the 33% reservation for women, the Naga Hoho said that the Committee to scrutinize Parliamentary Laws for Application to Nagaland, constituted under Rule 221-A of the Rules of Procedure and conduct of Business in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, expressed “consensus view that the 33% reservation of seats for women impinges/infringes on the social and customary practices of the Nagas, the safeguards of which is enshrined in Article 371A of the Constitution of India.”
The Committee further recommended that the “state government may legislate its own laws with necessary amendments suitable and in consonance with the social and customary practices of the Naga people as envisaged by Article 371A of the constitution of India. The House therefore, resolved to exempt the operation of Part 1XA of the constitution in the state of Nagaland under Article 371A (1) (a) of the constitution of India.”
The Naga Hoho felt that the State Government has “failed to review/amend the Municipal Act in consultation with all stake holders despite the resolution passed in the Legislative Assembly in 2012.”
Asserting that it wants women participation in Naga society in all decision making, the Naga Hoho however stated that “with the current election scenario in Nagaland involving corruption, manipulation and muzzle power, the Naga Hoho feels that women will be compelled to involve in such malpractices, which will totally lead to social degeneration, as the Naga women have played a pivotal role in keeping the society together.”
It expressed concern that “genuine, capable, honest and deserving women who can bring changes and development to the municipal and town councils may not be elected with this current trend of election system in Nagaland.”
It asked people to “refrain from diluting the issues by bringing gender politics but strive towards hammering out the differences in a manner of give and take policy.”
The Naga Hoho viewed that “women may be allowed to participate in Municipality through nominations with voting rights and we are open to any percent, be it 33% or even more if Naga people so desire.”
On the larger issue of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001, the Naga Hoho proposed that a Special Session of the State Assembly be summoned immediately for modification/amendment of the said Act.
