DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 15 (MExN): The Nagaland State Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) today informed that the various tribe organizations have been invited for a consultation on November 16 with regard to the 33% women reservation issue. A statement from the CMO said that their views and opinions will be recorded and necessary actions would be taken.
This, it stated, is to be followed up by “revocation of Assembly resolution, amendment of the Municipal Act, if absolutely necessary, and conduct of municipal polls in total accordance with the Constitution of India and in concord with the customs of the Nagas wherein gender equity and democratic aspirations are ingrained.”
The CMO appealed to all sections to work towards “forging unity amongst sexes, views and opinions” on the issue on women reservation, “so that our mothers and sisters are catapulted to electoral offices in Municipalities in the true spirit of our traditions and customs.”
In response to recent statements of MLA Thomas Ngullie on this issue, the CMO found it pertinent to “place on record facts and legal position for consumption of the common man.” It accused the MLA of hurling “unfounded allegations” against the Nagaland CM.
Describing the series of events regarding this issue over the past years, the CMO stated that the “non-conduct of elections to ULBs for more than a decade because of the stance of the former Chief Minister has resulted in three damages to the State: denial of democratic rights of Nagas for self-rule at local levels; denial of central funds to the municipal bodies for local development, and vexatious litigation with avoidable legal costs.”
The present government, it said, “thought it appropriate to review the entire situation with a fresh mind,” and accordingly on October 3, 2016, the State Cabinet decided to conduct polls to ULB with women reservation. “Such a decision was taken in 2006 by the then Chief Minister also which could not be carried into reality,” the CMO said.
“A few amendments to the Nagaland Municipal Act are being contemplated so that the letter and spirit of Article 371-A (1) (a) are stoutly defended. The Government will also move the House for revocation of the Resolution dated September 22, 2012 so that Part IXA with women reservation in municipalities becomes applicable to Nagaland,” the CMO informed.
Meanwhile, the CMO urged that “our views on gender equality must be not only progressive but appear to be progressive.” “That the Naga women are scarce in the electoral space is a reality. When a Constitutional provision nudges them to compulsorily find a place in electoral positions in the municipalities, any opposition to it, shall have, with no option, to be deemed as an obstruction to gender equality. 33% reservation for women in Municipalities is well within the labyrinth of Naga customary life and law that accords women gender equity,” it added.
It assured that the present government’s efforts “are to conduct the Municipal polls in total compliance with the Constitutional provisions, so that vexatious litigations are obviated along with costs and also peace, amity and concord are promoted between both sexes in the matter of representation in municipal bodies.”
It further stated that Chief Minister, TR Zeliang is “totally committed both to the Constitution and to the unique position of Nagas and Nagaland under our Constitution.” “Though the Chief Minister echoed once his leader's voice in 2012 in the House, he is not disentitled to revise his views and opinions on review,” it added.
