Nagaland Legislative Assembly Select Committee for Examination of the Nagaland Municipal Bill 2023 today said that it intends to retain 33% reservation for women while removing the provision for women chairperson from the new Municipal Bill. Deputy Chief Minister and Convener of the Committee, TR Zeliang said that land and property tax would also be excluded from the new Municipal Bill.
Zeliang said this while addressing the media after the Select Committee meeting held today at Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex, Chumoukedima. He said that the Select Committee would examine and submit its recommendation to the Assembly before commencement of the emergency assembly session which has been called on 9th November to discuss the new Nagaland Municipal Bill 2023.
The Convenor said that the Select Committee will hold meetings with Civil Society Organizations and Hohos to gather their opinions and thereafter adopt a resolution and prepare its recommendations to the assembly.
Zeliang pointed out that the Supreme Court has not passed any judgment on the issue so far and waiting for it will be a loss for the people. As such, he said the government has decided to go ahead with the municipal election with 33 per cent reservation.
During the upcoming assembly session, members will discuss the recommendations put forth by the seven-member Select Committee on the Nagaland Municipal Bill, 2023. The new bill, which aims to address concerns about women’s reservation and property taxation, was introduced on 12 September after repealing the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001, during the March assembly session.