Dimapur, October 15 (MExN): The ‘Goan Buras’ (GBs) federation today said it does not object to women participating in decision-making such as in the municipals or town council institutions. Curiously, the ‘Gaon Buras’ (‘village elder’, runners of the British-India administrators) said, appointment of women as ‘GBs’ is disallowed. The Nagaland GB Federation met recently in its general session on October 14 in Dimapur.
“The GBs have no objection for representation or participation of women in our Naga society, whether municipal, town council of local bodies,” stated one of the decisions that the GBs took during the session. But, the GBs – a legacy of British administrators – said appointment of women as GBs is prohibited. The reason the GB federation explained is “to preserve the traditional institute of Naga customary custodian of Gaon Bura.” This was asserted in a note from the federation informing of the proceedings of the session.
The GBs also opined on the issue of land resources and ownership over them. The GBs explained this way: “In regard to our land resources and usages that the fate of the Nagas must be decided by the people of Nagas, not by non-locals based on Art. 371 (A). So we support the resolutions of NLA. However, the government must deal with the land owners with proper understanding.”
Among other matter, the GBs also referred to the GBs Corpus Fund which the federation said that payment “should be effect from” 2004, the “starting year of the scheme.” Also GBs who demised or retired after serving for ten years (and above) the payment should be increased to “at least” Rs. 10, 000 and not as notified.
For death and “harness” the GBs stipulated a payment of “at least” Rs. 25, 000 for GBs who demised while in service; if one demised while on government duty he should be paid “at least” Rs. 50, 000 as, what the GBs claimed, “life insurance.” The session also sought “at least” 5 lakhs annually out of the GBs Corpus fund “interest money” for NGBF and district GBs Associations “office maintenance.” Advisor to GBs, DBs and VG affairs Kijung Chang and Commissioner KN Ngullie were the chief guest and guest of honor respectively.
