A seven member Select Committee to examine the new Nagaland Municipal Bill 2023, led by Deputy Chief Minister T.R Zeliang as Convenor was constituted today, informed the NLA Speaker Sharingain Longkumer on the last day of the second session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on 12 September introduced the new Nagaland Municipal Bill 2023, on the floor of the House. The Bill was introduced and referred to the Select Committee.
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The seven member includes:
1. Deputy CM T. R Zeliang: Convenor
2. Minister Paiwang Konyak: Member
3. Minister K.G Kenye: Member
4. Minister Jacob Zhimomi: Member
5. Advisor Mhathang Yanthan: Member
6. Advisor Zhaleo Rio: Member
7. Minister Metsubo Jamir: Member
Rio, while delivering his concluding remarks, after a day long discussion on Urban Local Bodies (ULB) election, said that the new Nagaland Municipal Bill should be “suitably addressing” all the concerns of our people.
He informed the house that provisions in regard to taxes on land and buildings, and properties have not been kept. And provision for 1/3rd reservation of seats in ULBs for women is present in the proposed legislation given the directions of the Supreme Court.
Rio in his speech also maintained that for the last 22 years the Nagaland Government is also trying its best and asserted that the Government of India (GoI) and the Court should also appreciate the efforts of the State Government.
Mention may be made that the first and last election to Urban Local Bodies in Nagaland was held in 2004.
During its March Session, the Assembly had repealed the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 and decided to bring about a new law incorporating the views of the tribal bodies and civil societies on 33 per cent women reservation and also tax on land and properties.
The government had announced conduct of the elections to ULBs several times but staunch objection from the tribal bodies and civil society organisations against the 33 per cent women reservation and tax on land & properties had held back the polls.
In 2017, when the state government led by T R Zeliang tried to hold the elections, there was violence. Two persons were killed and government properties and offices were damaged. It also led to the fall of the Zeliang ministry.
The matter which is in the Supreme Court has been listed for hearing on 26 September 2023.
