Dimapur : The integrity of the resolutions from the so-called consultative meeting on January 29 over the 108th constitution (Amendment Bill) on 33% Women Reservation Bill, has come into question. The Nagaland State Women Commission today shot off a letter to the Nagaland chief minister, listing out a number of blunders. The commission has advised the CMO that the resolutions so adopted cannot be taken as consensus of the Nagas. Whatever decision was taken on January 29 should be kept in abeyance till a clear decision emerge after consultations with the Naga women.
One of the bungles the government made was in not inviting even apex Naga women organizations like the Naga Mothers’ Association, Eastern Naga Women Organization and women wings of the political parties. Moreover, even the Nagaland State Women Commission itself was not invited to the meeting when even constitutional statute has a stipulation to consult with the commission.
The letter, appended by Nagaland State Women Commission chairman Sano Vamuzo, demanded immediate redress of the points made by the NSWC in its letter . The commission took strong exception that the NSWC was not even invited to the “consultation” meeting on the 29th of January regarding reservation of seats for women in Nagaland. “…it is highly questionable” the commission stated.
The commission reminded the chief minister that the Nagaland Commission Act 2006, (clause 9) stipulated the state government to consult with the commission before formulating major policies. The same action is to be, while drafting legislations affecting women in Nagaland, the commission reminded in its letter. “…such consultations shall have persuasive value. In this instance, the draft bill was not given to the commission in spite of queries by the commission on the matter, before the public debate” the NSWC stated.
Also, the commission questioned the state government on the fact that women wings of different political parties were included in the debate when all political parties were invited. Further, no significant women apex organizations even the Naga Mothers’ Association and Eastern Naga Women Organization were ignored. “The commission considers with serious concern the fact that the Naga Mothers Association, an apex body of women was not invited, nor the Eastern Naga Women Organization which consists of six tribes” the commission stated.
”In the light of these anomalies, the commission demands that the resolutions so adopted cannot be taken as a consensus of the Nagas. The commission will be consulting all women organization at the earliest and the clear stand of Naga women on reservation of women will be conveyed to the state government” the commission sated. The commission also advised the state government keep in abeyance the decision of the January 29 meeting till the state commission for women recommends a clear decision of Naga women, which will emerge after consultations with Naga women.
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