Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 21
Nagaland Minister for Urban Development and Higher & Technical Education, Dr. Shurhozelie today moved a resolution to exempt the operation of Part IX A of the Constitution pertaining to 33% reservation of seats for women in the municipal and town councils in the state.
Moving the resolution before the House today, Dr. Shurhozelie explained that though the Nagaland Municipal (First Amendment) Act, 2006 received much positive responses to the reservation of seats for women, the act also invited numerous opposition from different quarters of the Naga society on various grounds.
This prompted the Cabinet to deliberate upon the issue wherein it decided that in view of the delicate situation in the state and the ongoing reconciliation and peace process in the state, there was a need to maintain harmony in the society.
Besides, he said, various NGOs including the Naga Hoho and the ENPO supported by various tribal Hohos ventilated their strong objection to 33% reservation for women in the elections on the ground that it was violative of the customary practices protected in Article 371-A of the Constitution of India.
Besides, the interactions with tribal Hohos and civil societies as well as the representations received demonstrated stiff opposition for reservation of seats for women in municipal bodies, he stated adding in view of the various objections and representations by different organizations, the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, during its Eleventh Session, had a thorough discussion on the matter and unanimously adopted the resolution.
As per the resolution, after receiving all the proposals, objections, evidences and representations from various interested social organizations, the Committee to Scrutinize Parliamentary Laws for Application to Nagaland held a meeting on September 4 wherein it examined the representations and discussed at length regarding the applicability of Part IX A of the Constitution of India to the state of Nagaland.
After thorough deliberation, it was unanimously agreed that 33% reservation of seats for women impinges/infringes on the social and customary practices of the Nagas, the safeguards of which are enshrined in Article 371 A of the Constitution and, as such, 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 371 A of the Constitution.
The House is due to discuss the resolution tomorrow before Speaker Kiyaneilie Peseyie puts the resolution for passing.
