The order came on a petition moved by activist Rosemary Dzuvichu and the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) challenging a resolution passed by the Nagaland State Assembly on September 22, 2012, which exempted the operation of Part IX-A of the Constitution that mandates 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies in the state.
In 2016, the above resolution was withdrawn by the Nagaland Assembly, even as the reservation is yet to be implemented.
The hearing in the matter has been a protracted one. In April last year, the Supreme Court had granted a final opportunity to the Nagaland government to report on how it proposes to implement the reservation.
The lackadaisical attitude of the State was lamented. In July, the Court criticised the Nagaland government and the State Election Commission (SEC) for the delays, remarking that it had lost faith in the State government.
In the last hearing on March 14 this year, the SEC had told the Court that the polls will be held on May 16, soon after the State assembly elections.
However, on March 30 it cancelled the notification of the same citing the opposition from some tribal pressure groups.
This move has now been stayed by the top court.
Source: Barandbench
