The Joint Co-ordination Committee (JCC) and the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) have appealed to the State Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to take immediate measures for Amendment/Repeal of the Nagaland Municipal (NM) Act, 2001 at the earliest before holding the urban local bodies’ election.
In a representation addressed to the Chief Minister, JCC acting convenor, Vekhosayi Nyekha, and NTAC, Kohima convenor, KT Vilie, said most of the demands have been fulfilled including revocation of the resolution taken on November 24, 2016 by the NLA in connection with ULB election.
However, they said the most important demand for Amendment/Repeal of the NM Act, 2001 has not been fulfilled till date.
On the contrary, JCC and NTAC said the present government has appointed a cabinet sub-committee to examine the 33 per cent women reservation issue instead of taking steps for Amendment/Repeal of the NM Act, 2001.
In this regard, the JCC and NTAC reminded the Chief Minister that several representations have been submitted in the past for Amendment/Repeal of the NM Act, 2001.
Pointing out that examining the issue on women reservation was only a part to the NM Act, 2001, the JCC and NTAC said it would be more appropriate and reasonable to examine and overhaul the entire Act, which they said would do away the loopholes in the existing Act including the women reservation issue.
Further, the two committees reminded the Chief Minister of the resolution No 3 adopted at co-ordination meeting of all tribal apex bodies of the State with JCC and NTAC held at APO Hall, Kohima on February 7 last year wherein it was resolved that ‘the urban local bodies’ election in the State cannot be held until and unless amendments are made in the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 by safeguarding the powers conferred under Article 371-A of the Constitution of India’.
