Dimapur, November 16: The consultative meeting between the State Government and apex tribal bodies on Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 and Amendment Act at Capital Convention Centre Kohima on Wednesday failed to make any breakthrough on the women reservation issue. The meeting was held on the invitation of Chief Minister TR Zeliang.
According to the apex tribal Hohos, the meeting ended in uncertainty over the women reservation in elections to civic body polls.
Talking to Eastern Mirror, advisor to Naga Hoho Keviletuo said considering the land holding system in Nagaland, the government needs to amend the Municipal Act by exempting the private landowners from paying land tax. On the 33% reservation to women, he maintained the government was in a hurry to implement the quota. In his view, the reservation should be based on nomination and not ward-based.
Keviletuo informed that the government’s stand on the whole issue was ‘unclear’ as only the views of the tribal bodies were taken without any outcome. He termed the meeting as ‘unconstructive and inconclusive’.
Chito Nyuso, secretary, administration of Naga Hoho, said there was no ‘breakthrough’ in the meeting and added the representatives present were not given enough time by the government to express their views. He, however, hoped that wisdom will prevail on the government while stating ‘it will be a disaster if the government implements the Act’.
Advisor to Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation Toshi Wungtong said Article 371(A), which is sacred for the Nagas, should not be infringed. Also talking to Eastern Mirror, Konyak Union president Manlip said it is the duty of the Nagas to safeguard Article 371(A). He also appealed on the Naga Mothers' Association to withdraw the petition filed by it with regard to the 33% reservation. However, maintaining that women’s participation in the affairs of the State is less, he opined that they should be given opportunity through nomination.
Angami Public Organisation president Dr Vilhusa Seleyi informed that his organisation put forward its stand to the State government for removal of the provision for the Scheduled Caste (SC) from the Municipal Act. This was agreed by the House and welcomed by the State Government, he said.
Noting that the Nagaland Municipal Act has turned into a contentious issue, Dr Seleyi stressed that the 33% reservation for women should be based on ‘sincerity’ and not on ‘reservation’.
Chakhesang Public Organisation general secretary of Adubuh Kotso said the CPO did not offer any opinion on the issue as it was informed just a few days before the meeting. Stating that his organisation did not get time to consult the community, he said there was no ‘constructive outcome’ of today’s meeting.
The Sumi Hoho also shared similar view but informed that it will issue a statement on the issue soon.
The Lotho Hoho and Ao Senden remained unreachable for their comment on the meeting.
Meanwhile, a press note from the Chief Minister’s Office said the meeting was based on the suggestions given by Angami Public Organisation and Ao Senden. The first proposal was to omit or delete the provision for reservation of seat for Scheduled Caste in the Municipal Department, the CMO said.
It said as per the Nagaland census report 2011, there is no recorded Scheduled Caste in Nagaland and also there is no Presidential Order under the Constitution of India that specifies who are the SC of Nagaland. Therefore, in practice there will be no reservation for SCs in the Municipal bodies, it added.
The CMO further added that as a preventive measure and to clear the doubt, the government is open to the idea of removing the reservation of SC as suggested by the APO.
It also mentioned the two suggestions given by the Ao Senden on 33% reservation for women and taxation of land and buildings. With regard to the Assembly Resolution made on September 21, 2012 on the issue of ‘Women Reservation’, the Government is contemplating to introduce, during the coming Assembly session commencing from November 22, another Assembly resolution on the subject in line with the latest decision of the State Cabinet on this subject, so that the Assembly Resolution and the government's action are not in opposite directions, the CMO said.
It also said the Chief Minister while agreeing that ‘the speakers were against provision of tax on land and buildings in the municipal act’ maintained the government has decided to go by the reservation policy making its stand clear as merit cases for larger benefit of the people of the State.
The CM also elaborately explained the ramifications of further delaying the municipal or town council elections and pointed out that municipal or town councils are totally different from village councils. He assured that the suggestions and opinions put forth by tribal bodies were taken with value and appealed to all concerned to cooperate with the government in its proposed steps, the CMO added.
The Naga Hoho, ENPO, Ao Senden, APO, Konyak Union, Chakhesang Union, Lotha Union and Rengma Union attended the meeting.
