CNTC, Lotha Hoho demand rectification of NMA 2001

Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) and Lotha Hoho have asked the government to resolve/rectify the Nagaland Municipal Act (NMA) 2001.
In a press release, CNTC joint secretary (general) C Onen Walling said the council resolved that until the present NMA 2001 articles and provisions, which infringed Article 371(A), were duly re-amended or rectified, the council “will not compromise with the said Act.”
It said that the resolution was adopted at CNTC executive meeting held at Tourist Lodge, Dimapur on March 17, 2023.
The meeting, which deliberated on ULB election issue, also resolved that CNTC was not satisfied with the NMA 2001, and re-amendment done in 2016.
Regarding ULB election, CNTC said that three of Apex Hohos heads—Ao Senden president, Lotha Hoho chairman and Sumu Hoho president—have clearly deliberated their respective stand on the issue.
Meanwhile, the meeting, which also discussed fixation of date for forthcoming CNTC conference, resolved to authorize CNTC office bearers and Ao Senden (conference host) to work out the date and conference programme after confirmation of ULB election issue.
CNTC also reminded all three hohos to send members of new team to CNTC executives on or before March 31, 2023.
Lotha Hoho: Lotha Hoho at a meeting with its frontal organisations on March 23, 2023 has resolved to demand “rewriting” the Nagaland Municipal Act (NMA) 2001 before conducting any ULB election.
In a press release, LH chairman Er. Mhondamo Ovung and general secretary S Abenthung Ngullie sought to clarify that Lotha public were neither against any ULB election nor against payment of relevant tax.
Pointing out that Article 371(A) does not explicitly say anything on Women Reservation, LH has, however, said that among the various provisions it clearly states to safeguard the “(i) Religious or Social practices of the Nagas” and “(ii) Naga Customary laws and Procedures” etc. Therefore, the hoho said that Women Reservation clearly infringes on the provisions of Article 371A (1) (a) (ii) and (iii).
However, LH said that with changing times, the Consensus decision of the Nagas could be taken on Women Reservation, if it was for the common good of the Nagas.
The hoho said it was also aware that without tax payment by the people, no government can run or survive. Therefore, LH said that the tax, which was relevant and feasible to the reality of Nagas of Nagaland, could be worked out. “Hence the provisions on Taxation, in the existing Municipal Act
2001, are to be rectified in such ways that the Mode of taxation is within the ambit and circumstances of Nagaland under the constitutional provisions for the Nagas,” LH stated.
Meanwhile, the Lotha Hoho expressed dissatisfaction with the 74th Amendment, and the recent statement of Municipal Affairs department dated March 18, 2023.
In this regard, the LH has demand that the existing Municipal Act 2001 be rewritten in a way that was relevant to Nagaland under the Special Constitutional provisions of Art 371(A) and others before conducting any ULB Election.
LH also demanded that Amended Sections and Clauses be incorporated in the existing Act and publish the rewritten Act for wide public circulation.
If the NMA 2001 was not amended, LH cautioned that the town councils under Wokha district would not be allowed to participate in the ULB election.