Nagaland passes Bill retaining 33% women’s reservation for ULB polls

Nagaland passes Bill retaining 33% women’s reservation for ULB polls

Subject : Polity

Section: Local government

Context: Nagaland passes Bill retaining 33% women’s reservation for ULB polls

More about the news:

• The Nagaland Assembly unanimously passed the Nagaland Municipal Bill 2023 in a special session, retaining 33% reservation for women in urban local bodies.
• The Bill, which addresses a longstanding issue that has delayed civic polls for around two decades, removes women’s reservation for the post of chairperson in municipal bodies.
• The legislation was introduced in response to opposition and calls for a boycott from civil society organizations and tribal bodies.
• Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio announced that the apex tribal bodies, which had previously opposed the reservation, now accepted it, and the State Election Commission will soon announce dates for municipal polls.
• The Bill also eliminates taxes on immovable property, addressing historical opposition to taxation by the Naga people.
• The legislative changes aim to pave the way for the much-delayed municipal elections in the state.

What is the history of Nagaland Municipal Elections:

• Civic body elections were initially conducted in Nagaland in 2004 under the Nagaland Municipal Act of 2001.
• The Nagaland Municipal Act of 2001 underwent an amendment in 2006 to introduce a 33% reservation for women, aligning with the 1992 Constitutional amendment.
• Subsequent to the amendment, significant opposition emerged, primarily from Naga groups asserting that the reservations contradicted Naga customary laws protected by Article 371(A) of the Constitution, which grants the state special status and safeguards its traditional way of life.
• Attempts to implement the 33% reservation, particularly during the February 2017 elections following a Supreme Court directive, resulted in violent protests. The unrest led to the removal of the then Chief Minister T R Zeliang.

What are Urban Local Bodies (ULB):

• Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) refer to small local governing bodies responsible for administering a city or town with a designated population.
• These bodies are endowed with a comprehensive set of functions delegated by state governments, encompassing various areas such as public health, welfare, regulatory duties, public safety, infrastructure projects, and developmental initiatives.
• The Urban Local Government encompasses eight types of urban local bodies:
• Municipal Corporation:
  • Municipal corporations are typically present in large cities like Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, etc.
• Municipality:
  • Smaller cities often have municipalities, also known by other names such as municipal council, municipal committee, municipal board, etc.
• Notified Area Committee:
  • Notified area committees are established for rapidly developing towns and those lacking basic amenities. All committee members are nominated by the state government.
• Town Area Committee:
  • Found in small towns, the town area committee has limited authority, focusing on areas such as street lighting, drainage, roads, and conservancy.
• Cantonment Board:
  • Set up for the civilian population residing in cantonment areas, it is created and managed by the central government.
• Township:
  • Townships serve as another form of urban government, providing essential facilities to staff and workers in colonies near industrial plants. It lacks elected members and functions as an extension of the bureaucratic structure.
• Port Trust:
  • Established in port areas like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, etc., port trusts manage and oversee the ports while offering basic civic amenities to the local residents.
• Special Purpose Agency:
  • These agencies undertake specific activities or functions designated for municipal corporations or municipalities.

What are some special provisions with respect to Nagaland:

• Article 371A deals with the special provisions with respect to the State of Nagaland.
• Article 371A (1) (b) – the Governor of Nagaland has special responsibility with respect to law and order in the state so long as internal disturbances caused by the hostile Nagas continue.
• For instance, under Article 371A (1) (b) of the Constitution, important functions like transfer and posting of officials entrusted with the maintenance of law and order of and above the district level will be with the approval of the Governor.