Urban Development Department (UDD) has issued an office memorandum on December 12 reiterating that it had the authority to list the powers and functions of the municipalities.
The office memorandum signed by commissioner & secretary, urban development, Mhonbemo Patton said it was issued in accordance with Rule 22 of the Rules of Executive Business in Nagaland and have been addressed to the administrators of all the town councils in various districts for strict compliance and necessary action.
According to the memorandum, the state government has been resorting to appoint administrator(s) in exercise of Section 83 of Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 (NMA) to discharge the powers and functions of the municipalities.
The memorandum said state government through UDD, Municipal Affairs Cell had the right to settle the list of ‘lessees’ exclusively.
DMC-EA temporarily suspends stir
Following appeals from various organizations, Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) Employees Association (EA) has decided to temporarily suspend the ongoing cease-work agitation against the policies of the Urban Development Department (UDD).
In a statement, DMC-EA president Badal Bhadra and general secretary T. Revo Anar said the decision was arrived at an emergency meeting held on Tuesday following appeals made by various organizations and in view of the festive season.
After thorough deliberations, the meeting unanimously resolved to temporarily suspend the cease-work agitation from December 18 till January 5 next year.
DMC-EA however decided that its members would be wearing black badges during working hours to show their resentment against the decision of UDD till January 5 next year.
The employees would resume the agitation indefinitely from January 5 onwards if the responsible authorities failed to fulfill the demands already made in the representations submitted on December 4 and 13 last.
DMC-EA further said that during the intervening period of temporary suspension of the agitation, all other function would be resumed and performed as usual. However, no works, transactions etc. relating to toll and fees would be taken up by the employees.
37 lessees express dismay
Thirty seven lessees for toll tax collection appointed by Urban Development Department (UDD) have resented the ongoing tussle with the Dimapur Municipal Council Employees Association (DMCEA) over toll collection. The lessees- Mhonthung, K. Katy and Akrie- maintained they were collecting tax as per the judgment of Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench on December 2 and the order of UDD.
They expressed dismay over the December 16 incident at New Field Check Gate and Dellai Check Gate, where ACAUT volunteers confronted the lessees and also completely damaged a DMC toll booth. They blamed the previous 41 lessees for the incidents and not ACAUT. They appreciated ACAUT’s efforts but urged upon it to exercise wisdom and study the ground reality of the issue before making any judgment.
The 37 also urged DMCEA to demand probe on the December 9 incidents instead of demanding cancellation of their appointments. (Staff Reporter)