Dimapur, Dec. 13: Nagaland Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee (NPMCC) has welcomed the decision of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) to support 33% reservation for women in urban local bodies stating Congress has a long standing policy for women liberation and gender equality.
NPMCC president, N Lucy, noted with regret over certain elements with intent to eliminate women from participating in the process of making decisions. While acknowledging that elections are open to all, she admitted the fact that women cannot compete in corruption with men. She further pointed out that anti-woman activities have escalated in recent past.
‘Alleging violation of the spirit of Article 371A for providing one-time reservation is unfounded,’ the statement said.
Terming urban habitants as migratory in nature with multi-religions, customs, culture and traditions and cannot be governed by Nagaland Village Council Act, she said Nagaland Municipal Act of 2001 was formulated.
She also pointed out that provision of Article 371A in no way prevents or forbids women from rising in civilisation adding the provisions under Article 371A are sovereign powers of the Nagaland State Assembly.
‘They are also authorised by mandate to legislate new laws effecting the list provisions and also to adopt laws of the nation. Nothing prevents the State from making new Acts to govern its people,’ the statement added.
NPMCC reminded that it was the inherent social practice in which customary laws were amended, deleted and added as deemed fit and proper with the growth of civilization.
Stating that Rajiv Gandhi had adopted the principles of Nagaland Village and Areas Council Act and made various amendments in Article 243, it said the same was no stranger to Nagaland. It was of the view that resolutions and counter resolutions by NLA in respect of 33% women reservation were meaningless when the Municipal and Town Council Act is in force.
From the point of gender equality provided in the Constitution, it said one-time reservation may be considered as a special gesture. While acknowledging that women are physically weaker gender, it however, stated that it does not disqualify or prevent them to contribute in building the society or limit to nurturing homes and kitchens alone. It appealed to one and all to be more reasonable towards women.
