The Supreme Court on Thursday made scathing remarks against the Nagaland government for delaying the implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in the state’s local body elections for 12 years.
The Division Bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M.M. Sundresh also granted two weeks’ time to the Nagaland State Election Commission to apprise it on further details as to when it would notify elections for municipalities and town councils.
The bench was hearing a petition filed by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and women rights activist Rosemary Dvuchu challenging the Nagaland State Assembly resolution of September 22, 2012, which exempted the operation of Part IX-A of the Constitution which mandates 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies in the state.
The State Election Commission informed the Apex Court that they have been unable to notify the election schedule as per the court’s earlier order. The state government then said that it had given administrative approval to the State Election Commission.
While noting that the said approval was received only on June 12,2022, the Supreme Court criticised the Nagaland government for delaying the process of implementing the proposed 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies at every stage.
The Court observed there is a delay on part of the State government, “Its endeavour to defeat the rights of the women. It seems even 12 years is not enough delay.” The next hearing of the matter is on July 29.
In April this year, the Nagaland government informed the Top Court of its decision to implement 33% reservation to women in local self-government. In February, the Court had granted the State government a final opportunity to implement the reservation.