Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 08, 2010:
Based on a complaint made by social worker Valley Rose Hungyo, Advocate R Daniel of Gauhati High Court has served legal notice to the State Government asking as to why no seats are reserved for women in the Autonomous District Council elections.
The notice cautioned that failure to reserve seats for women or make arrangements to nominate from among women may compelled the client to take up appropriate legal action including filing writ petition before the Gauhati High Court against the State.
It pointed out that under Article 243 D, the Constitution of India provides reservation for women in grassroots level election of Panchayats which also extends to Manipur.
The Tribal Rights Protection Movement (TRPM) Manipur submitted a representation to the Governor on December 15 last to amend the Section 4 (3) of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act 1971 by way of nominating two women from unrepresented tribes in each district but the representation is not yet disposed, it mentioned.
The notice further asked as to why there is no provision for reservation in favour of women under the District Council Act when Article 243 T guarantees reservation not less than one-third for women in elections to Municipal Councils and 50 per cent in the case of Panchayati Raj elections.