Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday introduced the new Nagaland Municipal Bill 2023, on the floor of the House. The Bill was introduced and referred to the Select Committee.

Delivering his concluding remarks, after a day long discussion on Urban Local Body (ULB) election, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that the new Nagaland Municipal Bill should be suitably addressing all the concerns of our people.

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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.

“While repealing the Act, it was also decided that we will make a new Act expeditiously in consultation with our Tribal Bodies and all others concerned, for the governance of our towns and cities and urban areas, which is fully in consonance with our accepted customary practices and traditions, and Article 371A,” he said.

Rio 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.

He also pointed out that the State’s action of repealing the Nagaland Municipal Act has been subsequently examined by the Supreme Court, and in its last order, the Supreme Court while advocating 1/3rd representation for women has further also stated that the personal laws of Nagaland and the special status under Article 371 (A) is not being touched in any manner.

“We have been given by the Hon’ble Court one last of the last opportunities to abide by its directions, and the case is next listed on 26th September 2023,” he said.

Mentioning that several attempts by the Government over the years to conduct the elections to ULBs were unsuccessful, Rio said the Tribal Bodies and the people always viewed the attempts for holding elections with suspicion and there were stiff and vehement opposition. However, he said the government is encouraged by the support exhibited by all the stakeholders during the 1 September consultative meeting.

“I am happy to convey that in the meeting our Tribal Bodies and Organizations have expressed their keenness to take this matter forward, and conveyed their broad agreement to the provisions, in particular, for providing 1/3rd reservation of seats of women in ULBs; in the proposed legislation for Municipal Governance in the State,” said Rio.