Nagaland to conduct polls to ULBs with 33 pc women reservation

The Nagaland Government has decided to conduct elections to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) under Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 by granting 33 per cent women reservation.
The decision to this effect was taken during a cabinet meeting held yesterday, Chief Minister T R Zeliang said today at a state level function held here.
He said the state has not been able to avail the annual developmental funds granted by the Centre for ULBs, which was a big loss.
Elections to the state ULBs have been pending for several years as the tenure of the first municipal bodies came to an end between December 2009 and March 2010.

Zeliang said the Joint Action Committee on Women Reservation of the Naga Mothers' Association was fighting in the Supreme Court for 33 per cent women reservation, which has also led to withholding of the elections to the ULBs.
Pointing out that while the apex tribal organisations in the state were against women reservation, the state cabinet after thorough deliberation, decided that elections would be conducted to the ULBs with 33 per cent women reservation.

Zeliang informed that the dates for conducting the elections would be announced soon.
Meanwhile, the cabinet while deciding that there was no need for a separate Municipal Commissionerate in the state, has directed that the matter be taken up for review before the Gauhati High Court through the state Advocate General.

The cabinet approved the proposal of the Department of Municipal Affairs for setting up of nine Town Councils, which include Bhandari in Wokha district, Chozuba in Phek district, East Dimapur in Dimapur district, Longkhim in Tuensang district, Mangkolemba in Mokokchung district, Pungro in Kiphire district, Tening in Peren district and Tizit and Tobu in Mon district.
It approved the setting up of five Urban Station Committees for Athibung in Peren district, Chessore in Tuensang, Chuchuyimlang, Tsudikong and Yisemyong in Mokokchung district.
The cabinet also approved creation of six new Sub-District Industry Centres at Atoizu in Zunheboto district, Mangkolemba and Tuli in Mokokchung district, Meluri in Phek district, Noklak in Tuensang district, and Tizit in Mon district by redeploying the existing staff under the department of Industries and Commerce.