Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 20
Considering what was termed as “stiff opposition from certain sections” of the State to the 33% Reservation for Women, the Nagaland Government today moved a resolution in the ongoing Budget Session of the Nagaland Assembly seeking at least 6-months time to reexamine the amended Municipal Act of 2006. The Act provides for reservation of women in the municipal institutions.
Minister for Urban Development Dr. Shürhozelie Lezietsu moved the three-part resolutions in the assembly. He said that in view of the strong opposition to the provisions of the Municipal Act, smooth conduct of the municipal elections might be hindered. So, he said, all statutory process to conducting the elections ought to be suspended till the government takes ‘appropriate decision’ on the basis of report submitted by the Assembly Committee within six months.
The resolution said the issue of women reservation enshrined in the Act should be referred to the Select Committee of the house to examine and report within six months. The resolution also said that the constitutional provisions mentioned in Part IX (A) of the Constitution may also be referred to the Select Committee under the established rules of the Nagaland assembly.
The committee would examine whether Nagaland could be exempted from the Part IX (A) of the constitution and would submit its report within six months. Part IX (A) deals with reservations for women and others in urban local bodies enshrined in the seventy-fourth Constitutional amendment. Nagaland Assembly Speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie announced that the resolutions would be taken up for discussions and passing by the House on Thursday next.
Taking the lead, Dr. Shürhozelie explained the circumstances leading to the current situation under which the proposed elections to municipal and town councils may face ‘difficulties’ when various tribal organizations are opposing the reservation.
Continued on page 5he Minister moved the discussions on matters of urgent public importance after the Naga Hoho, Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization and other tribal organizations petitioned before the State government urging it to bring up the issue during the ongoing Budget Session.
Dr. Shürhozelie informed that the Joint Action Committee (JAC) on Women Reservation had also submitted a representation yesterday to the Chief Minister. They had argued in favor of holding the elections with 33% reservation of seats for women. Lezietsu said Article 371 (A) of the Constitution of India categorically mentions that no Act of Parliament is applicable to Nagaland until and unless Nagaland Assembly unanimously passed it. He also said the Nagaland Municipal Act of 2001 was amended by the House without sufficient discussions with the Naga civil societies.
Taking part in the discussions, Minister for Planning TR Zeliang said the original Act that was ‘amended hurriedly’ in 2006 by the assembly might be due to ‘pressure and ignorance’. But under the present circumstances, he said, the House could pass a resolution seeking more time from the court to revisit the entire issue of woman reservation and what best may be done to balance the views of both sides.
Ventilating his thoughts, senior Congress MLA K.L. Chishi observed that whether Article 74 of the constitution of India could be applied to the State of Nagaland, ought to be studied by the select committee. ‘Any Central Law must be subject to Article 371(A) and can be decided by the select committee of the House, he informed. He further viewed that the Assembly has the right and powers to pass a Resolution after scrutinizing the provision of the amendment of the select committee of the House.
Nagaland Home Minister Imkong L. Imchen who also took part in the discussion viewed that the people of Nagaland based on the social system are totally against women reservations although women constitutes 50% of the total population. He observed that there would be severe law and order breakdown if the wishes of the people are ignored. Therefore to maintained law and order situation he felt prudent that proper discussions are taken up in the Assembly.
The discussion of Women Reservation issue will continue in the House on 22nd March 2012.
(With inputs from DIPR)
