Revise Nagaland Municipal Act as per ‘reality, practicality’ of Naga people

KOHIMA — The three organisations — Association of Kohima Municipal Wards Panchayat (AKMWP), All Ward Union Mokokchung Town (AWUMT) and Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) — along with members of various town councils from different districts of Nagaland held an emergency consultative meeting in view of the general elections to the Urban Local Bodies (ULB), in Kohima on Tuesday.

Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Zasivikho Zakiesato, president of DUCCF, said that according to them, the Nagaland Municipal Act (NMA), 2001, which infringes Article 371 (A), should be revised as per the “reality and practicality of the Naga people” before holding the elections as announced by the State Election Commission recently.

Zakiesato also stated that one of the main issues they discussed was regarding the taxation on property, particularly on land and buildings, adding that they reiterated their earlier demand for “deletion” of all the words and sentences in regard to property tax.

Accordingly, he also updated that they will be submitting a memorandum to the government soon.

“If the government fails to listen to the voice of the people in Nagaland, the three municipalities and town councils will not participate in the election as per the resolution we have passed,” he said.

“We strongly discussed the Nagaland Municipal Act. So, the entire contents (of the act) have to be reviewed,” stated Zakiesato

Later, a press release was also handed out to the media seeking amendment and review of the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001.

In the press statement addressed to the Principal Secretary, Municipal Affairs department, the three unions reiterated their earlier demand for “deletion of all the words and sentences in regard with property tax”.

“In our reminder letter dated March 10, 2023, we have categorically mentioned various clauses which should be totally deleted from the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001. If the government has agreed to our demand, we place our demand for official publication in the official Gazette of the government of Nagaland, a copy of the booklet to be distributed to all the municipalities and town councils, and for wide publication both in electronic and print media,’ it read.

Referring to the resolution adopted at the consultative meeting held at State Banquet Hall on March 9, it said none of the three unions were invited nor attended the said consultative meeting.

“The three municipal unions in no way oppose the judgment of any Hon’ble court(s) in regard with the implementation or conduct of election to Urban Local Bodies in Nagaland. However, we are of the view that the government should listen to the voice and views of the people, which is the demand of all the Naga people for total review of the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001,” read the statement.

It, therefore, urged the government to review or redraft the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001, according to its applicability with living standard(s) of Nagaland’s citizens, and taking into consideration the social, customary and traditional practices of the Nagas, before the government conducts the ULB election.