In a major development, the much-debated Nagaland Municipal Bill, 2023 with 33% reservation for women in urban local bodies (ULBs) was passed by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) at an emergent session held here on Thursday.
After the presentation of the Select Committee Report by its convener and deputy chief minister TR Zeliang, chief minister Neiphiu Rio moved The Nagaland Municipal Bill, 2023 for consideration, which was then passed unanimously by the House through voice vote.
Rio, while highlighting the background of the ULB issue, said that in the draft of the new Municipal Bill, the provisions relating to taxes on land and buildings had been excluded. The provision for one third reservation of seats in ULBs for women is kept in the bill given the clear directions of the Supreme Court, he said.
However, Rio informed that the provisions for one-third reservation of the offices of the chairperson in ULBs for women, which were there in the earlier Municipal Act has not been included in the Municipal Bill.
Rio highlighted the importance of women’s participation in the administration of ULBs. He expressed the hope for a positive and meaningful outcome, as urbanisation in Nagaland had been rapidly increasing.
He said the new law, which the State was going to have, is not the end, but only a beginning.
Regretting the delay in reaching a consensus on the Bill, Rio said he was optimistic that its passage would lead to better administration, development, organisation, cleanliness, and beauty in cities and towns.
“We have lost many precious decades in negotiating for a consensus on the issue of ULBs. With the passage of the new Nagaland Municipal (Bill), 2023, let us hope that the new ULBs would be able to take the required steps to make our cities and towns better administered, more developed, more organised, more clean and more beautiful,” Rio said.
He also expressed gratitude to all the members who had actively participated in the discussions and shared their views and observations on the Bill. He also provided insights into the circumstances that led to the drafting of the Nagaland Municipal Bill, 2023.
“Our state may be a late starter in the process of urbanization. However, the rate of urbanization in Nagaland has been quite rapid of late. We now have 39 urban local bodies in the state. We have to provide this growing urban population the required urban infrastructure and urban amenities through local self-governments,” Rio said in his concluding remarks.
Earlier, in his address, deputy CM, TR Zeliang expressed his happiness that the Bill included 33% reservation for women in ULBs, which would enable them to become elected representatives and contribute to the decision-making process in municipalities and towns.
He urged the women to support the Bill and not let the issue of reservation for the post of chairperson be a bottleneck in the conduct of ULB elections.
He also appealed for public support to the Bill, emphasising that it was crucial for the all-round development of towns and the state as a whole. He declared his support to the Bill.
Participating in the discussion, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator Picto Shohe appreciated the Bill, pointing out that it would benefit not only women, but the entire state. He called on the people to support the Bill and hoped for a peaceful conduct of ULB elections across the state.
Jwenga Seb of the JDU highlighted that the unanimous passing of the Bill would reflect the progressive mindset and aspirations of the people. He stressed the importance of the Bill in achieving gender equality and creating an inclusive society.
BJP legislators Imkong L Imchen expressed support to the Bill on behalf of the BJP Legislative Party, acknowledging the extensive consultative process that led to the introduction of the Nagaland Municipal Bill, 2023.
Nuklu Toshi of the NPP expressed gratitude to Naga political leaders for recognising the importance of the Bill after a lapse of 22 years, during which he claimed the state had incurred losses for town and municipal development.
Power and Parliamentary Affairs minister KG Kenye termed the occasion as a red-letter day for all tribal bodies, civil society organisations and the 60 members of the Assembly who supported the Nagaland Municipal Bill, 2023.
He appreciated the chief minister for advocating gender equality through the Bill’s provision of providing 33% women’s reservation in the ULBs.
Other participants in the discussion included Achumbemo Kikon of the NPF, Dr Sukhato A Sema of the LJP, Independent MLA Kevipodi Sophie, Y Lima Onen Chang of the RPI and TN Manen of the NDPP, all of whom made their observations and declared their support to the Bill.
Session adjourned sine die
The 3rd emergent session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) was adjourned sine die by Speaker Sharingain Longkumer until the next session.