Kohima, January 21 (MExN): The Legal Cell of Naga People’s Front (NPF) today said that the power of the municipalities to levy tax on land and buildings have been omitted by the 3rd Amendment and therefore the power of the municipalities have been curbed by the State government to a large extent. Pointing out that there are rumours being spread that anything and everything will be taxed once municipal and town council election is allowed to be held, it stated, “This is totally misleading and contradictory to what is actually happening on the ground.” It further stated that the role of ULBs will be crucial and mandatory with the Smart City in the offing.
A statement from Achumbemo Kikon, Convenor, Legal Cell, NPF said that the party had constituted a committee to study into the whole aspect of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 and suggested to the government for amendment of some of the provisions of the Act. The government also received some suggestions from the Naga civil societies for amendment of some of the provisions of the Act.
In response to the various suggestions put forward by the Naga civil societies (Tribal Hohos), the Nagaland Legislative Assembly amended the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001, which is now called the Nagaland Municipal (Third Amendment) Act 2016, the statement said.
It also provided the following comparative chart of the Principal Act and the amended portion of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 passed by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on November 24, 2016 and assented by the Governor on November 28, 2016:
