Kohima, August 14 (MExN): Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today welcomed the decision to hold Urban Local Bodies election, while stating that good sense had prevailed upon “NPF-led BJP DAN Govt” in agreeing to provide 33% reservation to women in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
A press release from Media Cell, NPCC said that 33% reservation for women was made through The Nagaland Municipal (First Amendment) Act, 2006, but NPF government “dithered and backtracked” in its implementation.
After elections to ULBs were postponed on "one pretext or the other including the issue of women reservation since 2010," NPCC alleged, NPF government had “illegally” appointed their party workers in the guise of Advisors and “these people without any accountability or even an iota of moral conscience looted and destroyed the institution of local bodies.”
Majority of the council members in the past barring some few honest souls have failed to perform their duty, NPCC stated. “While busy taxing every item for themselves, they could not even fill potholes, provide garbage disposal or clear clogged drains. They were unaware that the duty of Council is to legislate laws, frame guidelines and rules,” the release added.
NPCC further maintained that to make a happy living place and boost the growth of economy, employment, “we need Council(s) that can provide safety and security to life and property of people. We need Council that may facilitate entrepreneurs and traders.” In this light, NPCC expressed expectation for free and fair election to be conducted. “We also expect voters to elect upright leaders to serve the welfare of common people...”
NPCC added that it will be a “litmus test” for Chief Minister TR Zeliang and his government as to whether they can really assert their authority in implementing the 33% women reservation in ULBs or “once again succumb to the pressures of some civil societies who have no accountability towards the people they claim to represent.”
