Mokokchung | August 11
With the Supreme Court directing the Nagaland State Election Commission to conduct the urban local body elections and declare the results by the end of January 2023, the ULB election with 33% reservation for women is much anticipated.
This comes at a scenario when ULB elections in Nagaland have not been conducted since 2009, and stiff opposition from various civil groups on the contentious issue of the 33% women reservation which caused unrest in the state in 2017 when the state government announced polls to the ULBs (with 33% women reservation).
Aside from the contentious 33% reservation policy, the people have been calling for amendments to various sections of the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001. On March 26, the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) demanded a review of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001, indicating that confidence in the State government’s resolution is yet to be gained. Besides, on July 22, the Association of Kohima Municipal Ward Panchayat (AKMWP), the Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) and the All Ward Union Mokokchung Town (AWUMT) have also demanded due rectification and amendment of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 before conducting ULB elections.
Despite Chief Minister Rio’s announcement on March 9 that any tax collection will be handled by municipalities rather than the government to administer issues in their own areas or wards, the core issue of public demand remains unaddressed.
Wapangnaro, Vice-Principal of Jubilee Memorial School, believes that the Municipal election is necessary for progress and development of the urban areas. However, she is of the view that it will be acceptable to the masses only if there is a re-amendment of the “Tax on Lands and Buildings” under the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001.
“There are a few areas of concern, such as, under section 120 Power to impose taxes, u/s 123 Tax on lands and buildings, u/s 125 (2&4) Determination of annual valuation, Recovery of taxes on lands and buildings u/s 144; u/s 182; u/s 194(1) and Toll tax u/s 175; u/s 292; u/s 330,” she continued.
“Our people need to clearly study the pros and cons of the Municipal Act, especially the legislators and thereby proceed with what is befitting for the people and for the future generation,” she added.
While expressing doubt about whether the municipal election will result in a positive change, R. Sunep Pongen, president of the Central Nagaland Students’ Association, reaffirmed that the public was mainly opposed to the land and building tax.
“Given the way the land and building tax issue is developing, the election might not take place because nothing has changed,” he said.
“The problematic articles have not been changed or deleted by the government but have instead been only omitted thus far,” he continued.
“Nobody will be against the Municipal election if only those changes are made by keeping in mind the interests of the people because municipalities are for the people,” he concluded.
Former MTBA youth president Lanuakum thinks that holding ULB elections will give Mokokchung the chance to have policies and solutions that are adequate and appropriate for the town, particularly in light of its outdated infrastructure and lack of basic amenities.
Additionally, he thinks that the 33% reservation in the ULB election will mandate the inclusion of women in the decision-making process. Because women are more inclined to seek inclusive policies and better address constituent issues, he believes it will add a new dimension to policy development.
However, he continued, “the Nagaland government should look into the provision of taxation by consulting the civil society organizations before the conduct of ULB elections, else it would have subsequent repercussions.”
The role of a municipal council according to Nagaland Municipal Act 2001, involves urban planning including town planning, regulation of land-use and construction of buildings, planning for economic and social development, water supply for domestic, industrial and commercial purposes, public health, sanitation conservancy, and solid waste management, fire services, urban forestry, protection of the environment and promotion of ecological aspects, safeguarding the interests of weaker sections of society including the handicapped and mentally retarded, slum improvement and up-gradation, among many others.
With a number of political developments taking place concurrently, it is yet to be seen how the civil society organizations and the Nagaland government will respond to the Supreme Court’s directive.