The Supreme Court on Tuesday has granted the Nagaland government an extension until 10 November to pass legislation providing 33% reservation for women in urban local bodies, reminding the state that the “proof of the pudding is in the eating.”
The court emphasized the need for action after years of delay and expressed concerns about when the legislation would be enacted.
“This matter has been pending now for several years. We understand the state has to take many factors into consideration. But the proof of the pudding is in the eating. So when will we have it,” the bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia said.
Nagaland’s Advocate General KN Balagopal assured that the bill is expected to become law before the next hearing, with the support of tribal leaders. The court warned of possible intervention if the issue isn’t resolved and requested a blueprint for implementing the reservation. To this, Balagopal said that he will prepare a blueprint along with the schedule to show how the state intends to go about executing the 33% reservation to women in urban bodies.