The Nagaland government will pass resolutions opposing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 in the upcoming Assembly session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Minister and government spokesperson K.G Kenye informing this during a press briefing held after the consultative meeting on Friday, here at Nagaland Civil Secretariat also said, the final draft for the new Nagaland Municipal Act is under process.
The Nagaland government had convened a consultative meeting with the Tribal apex bodies and Civil Society Organisations at the Stare Banquet Hall, Kohima to discuss on Uniform Civil Code, Urban Local Body and Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act.
On Uniform Civil Code, Kenye said, “UCC is a contentious bill laid in the parliament on 2020. Many groups and individuals have already voiced their opinions. Basing on Art 371 (A) it is clear that UCC is opposed and the house wish to pass a resolution in the upcoming Assembly.”
Whereas, Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, Kenye said the Act cannot be accepted by the people of Nagaland. “This also goes back to Art 371 (A). The will of the people stands out and here too, the house have wished for a resolution to be passed in the assembly opposing it,” added Kenye.
Article 371 (A) is a special provision under the Indian constitution protecting the Nagas and the state. The article clearly states that no Act of Parliament in respect of
(i) religious or social practices of the Nagas,
(ii) Naga customary law and procedure,
(iii) administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law,
(iv) ownership and transfer of land and its resources, shall apply to the State of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides.
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On the matter of Urban Local Body, Kenye remarked that the Nagaland government has been assuring that it will lose no time in bringing about a new Act, “an Act of our own for the Municipal Councils.” He said the final draft is under preparation.
“Today, the draft proposal could not be brought to the consultative meeting because it is under serious review. It will have to undergo the scrutiny of the cabinet, the govt, and the panel which has been formed.”
Kenye further said, “With further consultations before the State Assembly starts (September 11) the final draft will be prepared.”
Kenye pointed out that the 33% reservation Bill for women was deliberated at length and it has been more or less accepted by one and all, “that it will be okay if we have the reservation and conduct the elections. So, the other areas discussed were like the exclusion, permission, deletion of certain words like tax which actually does not go down well with our people. So those will be rectified and it will be presented in a different way where the people should understand that whatever fees or in the form of donations will be collected from the citizens or people of those wards falling under the Municipalities or Town Councils will remain with them. This will not come to the ex-chequer.” Kenye assured, “After these explanations and with very good suggestions from the stakeholders, the final touches to this draft be made. After that we will be bringing the new law for the enactment in the coming Assembly session on 11 September.”
Further, Kenye also informed that matter related to Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) was also discussed.
The consultative meeting was attended by all Tribal Apex bodies and Civil society organisations.
