The Monsoon session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) commenced today. The first day of the session witnessed a discussion on matters of urgent public importance under Rule 50, where the members deliberated against the proposed implementation of the Uniform Civil Code(UCC).
 
The members who participated in the deliberation expressed their concerns and asked the House to pass a resolution objecting to the UCC.  
 
However, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio while agreeing that UCC is not applicable in the state of Nagaland, said, that since the State government is in alliance with the Central government, it cannot object to the policies of the Centre and therefore a resolution should be adopted to “exempt” Nagaland from UCC. He also mentioned to the House that during a meeting with the Union Home Minister on the 5th of July, 2023 on this issue, had assured that UCC will not be applicable to the Scheduled Tribes of Nagaland and of the North East.
 
Subsequently, the members also deliberated on “Forest Conservation Act 2023 passed by the Parliament. The members viewed that the Act cannot be applicable in Nagaland as the land belongs to the people and not the government and therefore a resolution be adopted against it. Later, the Speaker notified the House that a unanimous resolution for both matters would be taken up tomorrow. Earlier, the NLA repealed the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition), Act, 1993 with the enactment of the new Act – The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013 by voice vote. The House also adopted a government resolution on The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO), Amendment Act, 2019, and The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO), Rules, 2020.
 
The Nagaland Motor Vehicles Taxation( Amendment) Bill, 2023, The Nagaland Passengers and Goods Taxation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and North East Christian University (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023 were also introduced. Other business of the day included question hour, reporting on Assent to Bills, Introduction of  Government Bills laying of Reports, Rules/Regulations and presentation of Assembly Committee Reports and obituary references.  The session will conclude on Thursday.