State of Nagaland - Act
Nagaland Village Councils Act, 1978
NAGALAND
India
India
Nagaland Village Councils Act, 1978
Act 1 of 1979
- Published on 7 April 1987
- Commenced on 7 April 1987
- [This is the version of this document from 7 April 1987.]
- [Note: The original publication document is not available and this content could not be verified.]
1. Short Title, extent and commencement.
2. Definition.
Chapter I
Village Council
3. Constitutions.
- Every recognised Village shall have a Village Council.Explanation. - Village means and includes an area recognised as a Village as such by the Government of Nagaland. An area in order to be a Village under this act shall fulfil the following conditions namely:4.
A Village Council shall consist of members, chosen by villagers in accordance with the prevailing customary practices and usages, the same being approved by the State Government, provided that hereditary village Chiefs GBs and Angs shall be ex- officio members of such Council and shall have voting right.5. Qualification for members.
- A person shall not be qualified to be chosen as a member of the Village Council unless he : -6.
7. Chairman.
8. Secretary.
- The Village Council may select and appoint a Secretary who may or may not be a member of the Council. If the Secretary is not a member of the Council, be shall have no voting rights.9. Power to remove members.
10. Conduct of Business.
- The procedure for the conduct of business in a Village Council shall be as may be regulated from time to time by the Chairman thereof. The written record of the gist of its proceedings shall be maintained.11.
The Village Council shall meet once in every 3 months, provided that the Chairman may summon the meeting of the Council at any time if requisition is made by one-third of the members.12. Powers and Duties.
- The Village Council shall have the following powers and duties :13.
On the outbreak of an epidemic or infectious disease Village Council shall initiate all preventive measures.14. [ [Deleted by Nagaland Act No. 6 of 1987, dated 07.04.1987.]
***] [Inserted by section 4 of Act 2 of 2010.]| 14. Administration of Justice.- (1) The Village Council constituted under the law in force from time to time shall administer justice within the Village limits in accordance with the customary law and usages as accepted by the canons of justice established in Nagaland and the law in this respect as enforced from time to time.(2) In case of disputes between villages falling in different areas or districts, two or more Village Councils may settle a dispute in a joint session or refer it to the appropriate authority. |
15. Village Administration.
16. Disqualification.
- A person shall be disqualified from being selected as and for being a member of Village Council : -17.
If any question arises as to whether a member of Village Council has been subject to disqualification, the question shall be referred to the decision of the State Government whose decision thereon shall be final.18.
A seat shall become vacant (1) when a member dies; or (2) when a member resigns his seal in writing under his own hand or (3) when a member is removed by the State Government on becoming disqualified.19. Filling of Casual Vacancy.
- When a seat becomes vacant, the Chairman shall call upon the Village concerned to choose a member.20.
When a dispute arises as to the selection of any member of a Village Council, the matter shall be referred to the State Government whose decision thereon shall be final.21.
Every Village Council shall be a body, corporate by the name of the Village for which it is constituted and shall have perpetual succession and a common seal, and shall by the said name use and be used through its Chairman, with power to acquire hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable and to contract and do all other things necessary for the purposes of this Act.22. Control of Village Council.
- Subject to the General superintendence of the State Government/the Deputy Commissioner/the Additional Deputy Com¬missioner or Sub-divisonal Officer (Civil) in-charge of the Sub-Division, Extra Assistant Commissioner or Circle Officer shall have control over all the Village Councils within his jurisdiction.Chapter II
Area Council
23. [ [Substituted by Act No. 2 of 2010, dated 18.3.2010.]
There may be a "Tribal Council" for every recognized Naga tribe, and also one or more apex tribal council(s) comprising of the federation or union of two or more tribal councils.]24. [ [Substituted by Act No. 2 of 2010, dated 18.3.2010.]
The composition, tenure and .method of constitution of the tribal councils and apex tribal councils, their powers, duties and functions etc. shalt be as per the traditions, customary practices and usages of the tribes concerned.]25. [ [Substituted by Act No. 2 of 2010, dated 18.3.2010.]
It shall be the duty of every tribal councilor apex tribal council to submit the names and addresses of its office bearers to the Deputy Commissioner of the district concerned and to the Home Department, Government of Nagaland, including any changes that may take place at any time thereafter. On receipt of this. information, it shall be acknowledged by the Home Department in writing, and in the absence of any order to the contrary, such written acknowledgement shall he deemed to be the conveyance of Government's recognition to the tribal councilor apex tribal council.]26. [ [Substituted by Act No. 2 of 2010, dated 18.3.2010.]
In addition to their normal duties and functions, as may be prescribed in their respective constitutions, and/or in accordance with their traditions, customary practices and usages, every tribal council, including the apex tribal council(s), shall assist the State Government and its various agencies, in the matter of maintenance of law and order in the society, maintenance of peace and communal/tribal harmony, the settlement of disputes, and cases involving breaches of customary laws and usages, and in any other matter of public importance, where its assistance is sought.]27. [ [Substituted by Act No. 2 of 2010, dated 18.3.2010.]
It shall be legitimate for the State Government to extend financial assistance or any other assistance, as may be deemed fit, to any tribal council.]28. [] [Renumbered by '51' Act No. 2 of 2010, dated 18.3.2010.] Repeal.
- The Nagaland Village, Area and Regional Councils Act, 1970 (The Nagaland Act no 2 of 1971) shall stand repealed ;Provided that such repeal shall not affect :| 28. Tennure of Member.- Every Area Council unless otherwise dissolved by the State Governmen1 shall continue for five years from the dale of appointment.Provided that the said period may be extended by the State Government by a notification in the Gazette for a period not exceeding one year at a time :Provided further that a member elected to fill a casual vacancy shall hold office for the remainder of the term of office of the member whom he replaced. |
29. [] [Renumbered by '52' Act No. 2 of 2010, dated 18.3.2010.] Savings.
- All powers, rights and duties given by this act shall be in addition lo and not in derrogation of any other powers, rights and duties conferred by any Act, law or custom and all such other powers, rights and duties may be exercised and put in force in the same manner by the same authority as if this act has not been passed.| 29. Power to Remove Member.- (1) The State Government may remove any member of an Area Council from his office ;(a) who is convicted of any offence involving moral turpitude by a court of law ; or(b) who refuses to act, or becomes incapable of acting; or(c) who is declared to be insolvent ; or(d) who has been declared by notification in Gazette to be disqualified for employment in the public service ; or(e) who without an excuse sufficient in the opinion of the State Government, absents himself from the majority of meeting, in a year of the Area Council; or(f) who has been guilty of misconduct in discharge of his duties or of any disgraceful conduct and two third of the total number of the members of the Area Council at a meeting recommend his removal.(2) No person who has been removed from his office under clause (a) or clause (d) of sub-section (1) shall be eligible for re-election except with the previous permission of the State Government obtained by such person in the prescribed manner. |
30. [] [Renumbered by '53' Act No. 2 of 2010, dated 18.3.2010.] Power to Remove Difficulties.
| 30. Power to do Certain Acts in the Event of an Epidemic.- On the outbreak of an epidemic or infectious disease, the Area Council shall initiate all preventive measures within its jurisdiction. |
31. [] [Renumbered by '54' Act No. 2 of 2010, dated 18.3.2010.] Dissolution.
| 31. Session.- An Area Council shall meet at least twice and not more than four times in a year. |
32. [ [Deleted by Act No. 2 of 2010, dated 18.3.2010.]
***]| 32. Conduct of Business.- The procedure for the conduct of business in an Area Council shall be, as may be regulated by rules made from time to time by the State Government. |
33. [ [Deleted by Act No. 2 of 2010, dated 18.3.2010.]
***]| 33. Power and duties.- (1) The Area Council shall examine the development scheme formulated by various Councils within its jurisdiction and after coordinating and consolidating all such schemes into one for the Area submit it to the appropriate authority with its recommendation and priorities.(2) The Area Council shall settle dispute :(a) if it is voluntarily referred to it by two or more contesting Village Councils; or(b) if required to do so by the Deputy Commissioner; State Government; or(c) any other matter referred lo it by any other authority |
34. [ [Deleted by Act No. 2 of 2010, dated 18.3.2010.]
***]| 34. Fund.- (1) The funds of the Area Council shall consist of grants or subsidies.(2) The regular maintenance of accounts of the Area Council fund and its safe custody shall be the duty of its Executive Officer.(3) The funds of Area Council shall be maintained and transacted through a Scheduled bank or Nagaland State Co-operative Bank only. |
35. [ [Deleted by Act No. 2 of 2010, dated 18.3.2010.]
***]| 35. Disqualification.- A person shall be disqualified from being elected as and for being a member of an Area Council :(1) if he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by the competent court or such authority as maybe recognised by the State Government, or(2) if he is not a citizen of India or has voluntarily acquired citizenship of foreign nation or is under acknowledgement of allegiance to a foreign nation, or(3) if lie has been convicted by a Court in India for an offence and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years, unless a period of five years or such less period as the State Government may allow in any particular case, has elapsed since his release; or(4) if having held an office under any Council he has been found guilty of corruption, disloyalty or breach of such Council laws; unless a period of five years or such less period as the State Government may determine in any particular case has elapsed since his becoming so dis-qualified; or(5) if he is an undischarged insolvent; or(6) if he is a salaried Government servant or employee of an Area Council; or(7) if he abstains himself from the majority of the meeting in a year and is unable to explain such absence to the satisfaction of the Council ; or(8) if be is a member of any other Area Council; or(9) if he has been dismissed from the service of the Government or any other local authority for misconduct; unless a period of five years has elapsed from the date of dismissal.(10) if and-for so long as, there subsists a contract entered into by him in the course of his trade or business with the Stale Government for the supply of goods, or for the execution of any work undertaken by the Government. |
36. [ [Deleted by Act No. 2 of 2010, dated 18.3.2010.]
***]| 36. Decision no Question of Disqualification of Member.- If any question arises as to whether a member of an Area Council has been subject to disqualification, the question shall be referred to the decision of the State Government whose decision thereon shall be final. |
37. [ [Deleted by Act No. 2 of 2010, dated 18.3.2010.]
***]| 37. Vacation of Member's Seat.- A seat shall become vacant :(1) When a member dies, or(2) when a member resigns his scat in writing under his own hand; or(3) when a member is removed by the State Government on becoming disqualified. |
38. [ [Deleted by Act No. 2 of 2010, dated 18.3.2010.]
***]| 38. Vacation of Office or Chairman.- A member holding the office of the Chairman of an Area Council shall vacate his office : -(1) on ceasing to be a member of the said Council; or(2) when he resigns his seat in writing under his own hand addressed to the Secretary of the Area Council; or(3) when a resolution is passed by the Area Council presided over by the Executive Officer of the Council removing him from office by a vote of two-third of the total membership of the Council. |
39. [ [Deleted by Act No. 2 of 2010, dated 18.3.2010.]
***]| 39. Billing of Casual Vacancy.- When a seat becomes vacant, the Chairman shall : -(1) notify the vacancy in Gazette; and(2) call upon the Village Council concerned to elect a new member. |
40. [ [Deleted by Act No. 2 of 2010, dated 18.3.2010.]
***]| 40. Election Disputes.- IE a dispute arises as to the election of any member of an Area Council, the matter shall be referred to the State Government whose decision thereon shall be final. |
41. [ [Deleted by Act No. 2 of 2010, dated 18.3.2010.]
***]| 41. Incorporation.- Every Area Council shall be a body corporate by the name of the Area for which it is constituted and shall have perpetual succession and a common seal, and shall by the stud name use and be used through its Chairman with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property both movable and immovable and lo contract and Lo do all other things, necessary for the purpose of this Act. |
Chapter III
Miscellaneous
42. [ [Deleted by Nagaland Act No. 7 of 1990, 24.7.1990.]
***]| 42. Control of Area Council.- Subject to the General superintendence and control, of the Slate Government, the Deputy Commissioner, the Additional Deputy Commissioner or the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) shall have control over all the Area Councils within their jurisdiction. |
43. [ [Deleted by Nagaland Act No. 7 of 1990, 24.7.1990.]
***]| 43. Constitution of State Level Advisory Board.- (a)(1) The State Government may constitute by notification in the official Gazette, a Board consisting of the following members, namely: -Chairman - Minister-in-charge (Councils)Members - 1. Agricultural Production Commissioner2. Secretary (Finance)3. Secretary (Home) - Member Secretary4. Three Members nominated by the State Government (like member of Legislative Assembly)(2) Four of the members attending any meeting of the board shall form the quorum for the purpose of transacting the business of that meeting of the board,(3) All members of the Board including the nominated members shall have one vote each and the Chairman shall have a casting vote in case of a tie.(4) In the absence of the Chairman, the members present shall elect one among themselves to preside over the meeting. |
44. [ [Deleted by Nagaland Act No. 7 of 1990, 24.7.1990.]
***]| 44.Any non-official member may at any time resign his office and his resignation shall be effective immediately it is accepted by the State Government. |
45. [ [Deleted by Nagaland Act No. 7 of 1990, 24.7.1990.]
***]| 45.The term of office of any non-official member shall be three years.Provided that in case of members representing the Legislature or Local Authorities their terms of office-shall terminate as soon as they cease to be members of such Legislature or Local Authority, as the case may be. |
46. [ [Deleted by Nagaland Act No. 7 of 1990, 24.7.1990.]
***]| 46.(1) The term of office of non-financial members shall commence on such date as may be notified in this behalf by the State Government.(2) A person ceasing to be member by reason, of the expiry of his term of office as described in section 45, shall be eligible for re-nomination. |
47. [ [Deleted by Nagaland Act No. 7 of 1990, 24.7.1990.]
***]| 47.The State Government may remove from the Board any member who :(a) refuses to act, or becomes incapable of acting or absent himself from three consecutive meetings of the Board and is unable to explain such absence to the satisfaction of the Board; or(b) has so flagrantly abused in any manner his position as a member of the board as to render his continuance detrimental to the public interest. Provided that when the State Government proposes to take action under the foregoing provisions of this section, an opportunity for explanation shall be given to the member concerned and when such action is taken, the reasons thereof shall be placed on record. |
48. [ [Deleted by Nagaland Act No. 7 of 1990, 24.7.1990.]
***]| 48.(1) When the place of a member nominated by the State Government becomes vacant by his resignation, removal or death the State Government shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy.(2) The term of office of a member, nominated under sub-section (1) shall be the remainder of the term of office of the member in whose place he has been nominated. |
49. [ [Deleted by Nagaland Act No. 7 of 1990, 24.7.1990.]
***]| 49. Powers and duties of the State Level Advisory board.- The State Level Advisory board shalt (i) review from time to time working of various Village and Area Councils, (ii) advise the Government about allotment of funds to various Village Councils as grant-in-aid, (iii) perform such other duties as the Board may be required by the State Government. |
50. [ [Deleted by Nagaland Act No. 7 of 1990, 24.7.1990.]
***]| 50.(1) The State Government may by notification in the Gazette make rules consistent with this Act, to carry out the purpose of this act.(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of foregoing powers, such rules may provide for the fol¬lowing namely :(a) for conduct of election to the Area Councils ;(b) for delimitation of constituencies for election to the Area Council ;(c) for pay and allowances of members and Chairman of the Area Councils ;(d) appointment of Officers and staff of the Area Coun¬cils and their condition of service ;(e) custody and disposal of Area Council funds ;(f) procedure for maintenance of accounts and audit ;(g) procedure for conduct ?f business of Village and Area Councils ;(h) any other connected matter in respect of which it is necessary to make rules for the constitution and proper functioning of the village and Area Councils.(3) Every rule made under this section shall be laid, as soon. as maybe, aft er it is made before the Nagaland Legislative Assembly while it is in sessions for a total period of seven days, which may be comprised in one session or in two successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session in which it is so laid or the session immediately following, the Nagaland Legislative Assembly agree in making any modification it the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect as the case may he, so that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity anything previously done under this rule. |