Kohima, March 10 The Nagaland assembly passed a bill on Tuesday to integrate village authorities into the town planning process.
The Nagaland Town and Country Planning (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2025, was introduced in the House on Monday by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
The bill aims to strengthen the planning framework for urban and peri-urban areas in the state. The amendment clarifies the definition of a 'Town Planning Scheme' as a layout plan for a specific area within a planning zone, prepared under the framework of a master plan or peri-urban plan, indicating how land use and development will be carried out, officials said.
It also expands the definition of 'Local Authority' to include village authorities located within a notified master plan or peri-urban areas, thereby formally involving traditional institutions in urban planning, they said.
Another key provision mandates that 20 to 30 per cent of land under a town planning scheme must be reserved for public purposes, including roads, schools, hospitals, parks and other civic infrastructure, they added.
The amendment further requires the state government to appoint a qualified officer within one month after sanctioning the preparation of a town planning scheme to oversee its preparation and implementation, officials said.
The assembly also passed the Nagaland Shops and Establishments (1st Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeking to regulate the conditions of work and employment in shops, commercial establishments and places of public entertainment across the state.
The new law will initially apply to areas under Town Committees constituted under the Naga Hills District (Constitution of Town Committee) Rules, 1954, and would later be extended to other areas.
However, except for registration requirements, compliance would apply mainly to establishments employing 20 or more persons.
The bill lays down provisions relating to working hours, leave, wages, health and safety, and employment conditions.
Employees cannot be required to work for more than 10 hours in a day or 48 hours in a week, though overtime may be permitted within prescribed limits, with wages paid at twice the ordinary rate, according to the bill.
It also mandates weekly holidays, provides for 16 days of privilege leave after 12 months of service, along with 12 days each of medical and casual leave.
With no clarifications sought by any member, Speaker Sharingain Longkumer put the bills to a vote, and they were adopted.