The Association of Kohima Municipal Wards Panchayat (AKMWP) has written to the Deputy Commissioner Kohima, seeking clarification on a recent cabinet decision that suggested disbanding bodies duplicating the functions of elected councillors, including “ward committees.”
In the letter, AKMWP president Thejao Sekhose referenced government communication, citing a Home department letter dated August 13, 2024, and Municipal Affairs department letter dated August 5, 2024, which were discussed during a cabinet meeting held on July 11, 2024.
He said that the cabinet decision had stated that “in case of any other bodies, duplicating the functions of elected councilors such as town GBs or ward committees, the department should initiate necessary action to disband/phase out such bodies.”
However, AKMWP pointed out that the term “ward committees” was unclear and could refer to various non-profit, non-governmental organizations that are registered with the Registrar of Societies and mandated by citizens for the development and welfare of their communities. The association emphasized that these councils/committees were never appointed by the state government or any other authority. In this regard, AKMWP sought early clarification of the term “ward committee” as stated in the cabinet decision.