The Nagaland government has informed the Supreme Court that a bill to provide 33 percent reservation for women in urban local bodies has been introduced in the state assembly. The Nagaland Assembly had on September 12 decided to refer the Nagaland Municipal Bill, 2023, to a select committee for further consideration.

The Advocate General of Nagaland told the bench of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia that the matter has been referred to the Select Committee.

Elections to urban local bodies in Nagaland have been pending for a long time and the last time these elections were held was in the year 2004. The state government told the apex court that this process was possible through consultation with the heads of 16 major tribes and seven minor tribes on September 1, 2023. Everyone agreed to give one-third reservation to women.

The top court was hearing the petition of People's Union for Civil Liberties and others demanding reservation. The next hearing of the case will be on November 10.