DIMAPUR, MARCH 18: Nagaland Government has clarified that provisions relating to tax on land and building have already been removed from Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 by the NMA (3rd Amendment) Act 2016, even as oppositions to ULB election in the State grow louder once again.
In a clarification issued on Saturday, the Municipal Affairs Department informed that the amendment of Section 120 (1) (a) states that “all references and operative provisions relating to tax on land and buildings wherever these occur in the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 shall be deemed to have been omitted”.
“In some quarters, the request for replacement of the word ‘Deleted’ in lieu of ‘Omitted’ has been made. In the regard, it is clarified that as per the legal opinion, the words ‘Omission, Omitted & Deleted’ have no difference but should be read as of the same meaning and character in context of the amendment issue in question”, it stated.
With regard to ULB elections, the Department maintained that in light of the Supreme Court’s recent judgment, the State authorities are duty bound to conduct ULB elections as per the notified schedule.
“With regard to suggestions of nominating women in ULBs with voting rights instead of 33% women’s reservations of wards, the Supreme Court in its judgment dated February 22, 2022 categorically struck down this submission as ‘something naturally not acceptable'”, it stated.
Also, according to the Department, the reservation for women chairperson of ULBs has been notified as per Section 23B of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001, as amended. “To bring about fair play, the rotation is being based on the alphabetical order of the ULBs”, it informed.
It reminded that the Supreme Court, in its March 14 order, ruled that the poll schedule will not be disturbed now and the election process be completed in terms of the schedule.
“Therefore, registered voters of the ULBs are requested to wholeheartedly participate in the forthcoming ULB elections as notified with polls scheduled for 16th May 2023 and make it a resounding success”, it stated.
(Page News Service)
