ULB councilors told to start working for public

DIMAPUR — With the completion of thanksgiving and felicitation programmes, the advisor of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Zhaleo Rio, called upon the elected members of urban local bodies (ULB) to start working for the benefit of the public in their respective jurisdiction.

Rio stated this during the inaugural function of a two-day orientation workshop for the ULB elected members held at Niathu Resort in Chümoukedima on Friday. The advisor expressed happiness to note that ULB elections could be held after 20 years with 33% reservation for women in a peaceful manner.

He also thanked all the civil society organisations and political parties in Nagaland for coming together in one accord to hold the ULB elections with 33% reservation for women, thereby paving a way for the government to repeal the Nagaland Municipal Act (NMA), 2001 resulting in framing a new Municipal Act 2023 as per the wish and desire of the people in addressing the rights and privileges of the people and protecting their constitutional rights as enshrined in Article 371(A) of the Constitutions.

Rio stated that the unprecedented growth of urban centres (town and cities) taking place all over the country has led to adoption of the 74th Constitution Amendment Act 1992 by the Government of India, with the primary objective being to empower the ULB in better management of urban growth. He pointed out that there are 39 urban local bodies including 3 municipal councils and 36 town councils.

Stating that town and cities contribute substantially to the economic development of the state, Rio said the urban centres play an important role in the development of rural hinterland. In order to keep the economic transformation level, he stated that it was necessary for the people and their representatives to fully involve in planning and implementation of the programme at local levels.

The advisor also encouraged setting up of various sub-committees to generate revenues through a joint-coordinated effort and provide basic amenities/ facilities and function as local self government as enshrined under 74th Constitutional Amendment.

Rio observed that the three municipal councils namely Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung has population and shop properties but found not living up to expectation in the form of employees’ salary deficit, no proper revenue collection of shops and trade licenses.

Additionally, Rio pointed out that around 13 town councils have less than 5000 population with less shop and no revenue. He, therefore, urged the gathering to carry out inspection and identify areas for revenue generation.

The inaugural programme was followed with a workshop highlighting about 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, roles and responsibilities of ULB in the context of Nagaland Municipal Act, 2023.

The second session highlighted about Municipal taxation and fees and own revenue source and in the third session, the state mission director presented a short presentation on AMRUT, Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U), National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM), and Asian Development Bank (ADB) assisted projects.