Kohima, October 8 (DIPR): The Nagaland State Legislative Assembly passed the Nagaland Municipal Act 2006 inserting the provision for reservation of 33% seats for women in terms of Article 243T of the Constitution of India. Presenting a working paper on ‘Reservation for Women in Urban Local Bodies and election to Urban Local Bodies’ at Heritage village this afternoon, Secretary Urban Development, Norman Putsure, IAS said that while there has been much positive response to the reservation, there has also been a number of opposition too.
Putsure commented that the main issues to be addressed include whether the Act go against the provisions of Article 371 (A); whether the Act infringes into the Naga Customary Laws; Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 vis-à-vis the Nagaland Village and Area Council Act, 1978 relating to functions; Equal opportunity and rights for women in decision making and governance in Urban Local Bodies; whether gender disparities can be removed without the instrument of reservation within the target year of 2015 of the UNDP.
He also said that consequent upon the enactment of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001, elections to all the Municipal and Town Councils in Nagaland except Mokokchung Municipal Council were held in the year 2004. He briefly referred to the points against and in support in holding of early elections and posed certain Issues whether holding of early elections will jeopardize the re-conciliation and peace process; whether the elected local bodies will be able to cope with the responsibilities and obligatory functions; whether the present set of Advisory Committees and Administration are delivering better services; whether elections can be deferred on popular demands.
