Chizokho Vero
Meluri | April 2
The ‘urbanization’ wave reached Meluri town as it officially became a full-fledged Town Council - the fourth Adhoc Town Committee to be upgraded this year after Shamator, Noklak and Aboi subdivisions. Meluri, under Phek district is located 167 km away from state’s capital Kohima. Chief Minister T.R Zeliang, who formally inaugurated the Meluri Town Council on Saturday said out of the 17 towns that sought for upgrade to town councils, four were allotted on the grounds of backward and border area.
While calling upon the people to gain maximum benefit out of the upgradation of such town councils, Zeliang emphasized on the need to enhance tax collection in the form of toll tax, trade license etc. by the town councils. He maintained that development will flourish only when citizens come forward and is willing to pay tax fixed by the respective town councils, which is for the benefit and development of the town.
The chief minister also cited an instance on how Delhi city developed to such great extent - largely because it generates more than Rs 10,000 crore out of tax, and the same is being used for city’s development. He also called upon the landowners to extend their cooperation for overall development of the town.
Referring to the memorandum submitted by Pochury Hoho through its president Penthu Pochury, the chief minister assured to consider the same. The contents of the memorandum include creation of Sub-Treasury office at Meluri, creation of Police Outpost at Avakhung International Trade Centre and creation of Political Assistant to ADC post at Meluri.
Minister for school education & SCERT Yitachu, who is the elected representative from 20th Meluri A/C called upon the people to develop broader vision and mentally prepare to face industrialization process with the attainment of the full-fledged town council.
Stressing on the need for proper functioning of town council, Yitachu called for improving sanitation; roads, drainage, systematic distribution of water supply and other basic amenities.
Parliamentary secretary municipal affairs and economics & statistics R. Tohanba said with the upgradation of Meluri Town Adhoc Committee to a full-fledged Town Council, it is now entitled to get the funds from central government for overall development of the town. He also informed a new scheme “Housing for all” for urban poor will also now cover Meluri town.
Zeliang appeal womenfolk to accept 25% nomination in ULB
Chief Minister T.R Zeliang today appealed to the womenfolk to accept 25% nominations to the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) with full voting rights on an experimental basis to begin with.
“Instead of 33% reservation which is vehemently opposed by our tribal organisations, I appeal to the womenfolk to accept 25% nominated seats to the ULBs with full voting rights, and if it is found necessary and viable we can have more reservations for our women,” he said while addressing the inaugural function of the upgradation of Meluri Adhoc Town Council to a full-fledged Town Council.
The chief minister also appealed the men-folk to change their mindset in tune with the changing times and “together with our women, work together hand in hand for the uplift of our people.” He also pointed out that due to the reservation issue pending in the Supreme Court; the State Government had been unable to utilize annually Rs 40 crore sanctioned by the Government of India for the ULBs.
“Upgradation to Town Council will not benefit the people of the towns much if the Court issue is not resolved at the earliest and we will continue to lose out on funds meant for the ULBs,” he said.
In this, the chief minister appealed to the womenfolk to withdraw the case from the Supreme Court and work together with the menfolk so that the purpose of having ULBs is not defeated.
