Nagaland Government To Supreme Court: Ready To Implement 33% Reservation For Women In Civic Bodies
We all know that women’s representation is not the best in the government and civic bodies. And with all the reservations in the world, I think it’s only fair to have some reservations aimed at gender equality. And it looks like some of our prayers were answered. Recently, the Nagaland government told the Supreme Court that it is ready to implement a 33% reservation for women in civic bodies. The case was being heard by Justices SK Kaul and M Sundresh.
In a petition filed by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties and women’s rights activist Rosemary Dvuchu, the petitioner had challenged the Nagaland Assembly’s resolution dated September 9, 2021, which exempted the operation of the Part IXA of the Indian Constitution which requires states to have a 33% reservation for women in civic bodies. In the case, the Nagaland state government told the Supreme Court that a resolution has been passed by the Chief Minister and other officials during a meeting held in March during which a go-ahead was given to the 74th amendment which gives a 33% reservation to women in civic bodies.
Responding to the state government’s submission, the Supreme Court was quoted by LiveLaw saying, “There is no impediment in holding elections providing for reservation for women.” Speaking to the Nagaland State Election Commission’s counsel, the apex court enquired how much time it would take the commission to complete the process of summary revision. Responding to the same, the advocate informed the court that the process for it has already begun as instructed by the court and will need two months to complete. He further urged the court to fix a date of the elections for February next year citing the addition of 7 Town Councils.
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The request was rejected by the court while informing the counsel for the Election Commission that their own resolution states that elections are to be held as soon as electoral rolls are there. Further, the top court took note of the same while directing the Nagaland State Election Commission to inform the court about the schedule of the elections of Municipalities and Town Councils in the next hearing which has been scheduled for July this year.
