APO proposes ‘temporary legislation’ of Municipal Act

The Angami Public Organisation (APO) has proposed a temporary legislation vis-à-vis the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001.
This was contained in a letter to chief minister Neiphiu Rio from APO president Dr Vilhousa Angami. The APO has suggested that Section 23A of the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 be substituted with another provision through an ordinance whereby 35% of the total seats in each municipal and town council be earmarked for women through nomination with voting rights and equal status.
Dr. Vilhousa opined that the duration of the temporary legislation could be initially for a period of five years and, if necessary, could be extended by a resolution of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
The APO president opined that if with the temporary legislation as proposed, election to urban local bodies could be conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner for overall growth and development of the State.
He also maintained that the State government has the competence to bring minor alterations in the provisions of the Act without essential or major change in principle.
He clarified that the objective of the proposal was not to repeal or abrogate any existing law, but to bypass the same, since the continuance of the provisions thereof were not expedient and could lead to law and order problem.
Dr.Vilhousa said there would be nothing objectionable by introducing such a provision since such a provision had been held valid by the court in a number of cases.
He expressed apprehension that the issue of reservation of seats for women in the ULBs could become “very serious and sensitive in nature” and the imposition of municipal elections in its present form could cause large-scale violence.
Further, the sentiments of different tribal bodies/public could be aroused due to their apprehension that forcefully imposing women reservation on traditional and social system of the Nagas could result in break-up of and disintegration of the delicate social equilibrium of various ethnic tribes, he noted. Dr. Vilhousa also expressed apprehension that going ahead without some consensus would also hamper the ongoing peace process between the Centre and Naga groups.