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The NAGALAND VILLAGE AREA & REGIONAL COUNCILS ACT,1970

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NAGALAND ACT 2 OF 1971 
[ NAGALAND VILLAGE, AREA AND REGIONAL COUNCILS  
ACT, 1970 
Received the assent of the Governor on the 23rd January, 1971 
[Published in the Nagaland Gazette---Extraordinary, dated 12th Feb. 1971] 
 
An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to constitution 
of Village, Area and Regional Councils in the district of Kohima 
and Mokokchung, to regulate their duties and functions and for 
matters connected therewith. 
 
It is hereby enacted in the Twenty-first Year of the Republic of India, as 
follows:- 
Short title, extent and commencement. – 1. (1) This Act may be called the 
Nagaland Village, Area and Regional Councils Act, 1970. 
(2) It extends to the districts of Kohima and Mokokchung in Nagaland. 
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may by 
notification in the Gazette, Appoint, and different dates may be appointed for 
different provisions of this Act. 
2. In this Act unless the context otherwise requires:- 
 
Definition. – (a) “appropriate authority” or “competent authority” means an 
authority having administrative jurisdiction with whatever designation called and 
notified by Government from time to time. 
(1) “Assembly”- means the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. 
(2) “Gazette” or “the Gazette” – means Nagaland Gazette. 
(3) “Prescribed” – means prescribed by rules made under this Act. 
(4) “State Government” – means the Government of Nagaland. 
 
 
 
CHAPTER  1 
 
VILLAGE COUNCIL 
 
Constitution. - 3. Every village having a population of not less than one 
hundred shall have a Village Council. 
Composition. – 4. A village Council shall consist of members chosen by the 
villagers in accordance with the prevailing customary practice and usages, the same 
being approved by the State Government. 
Qualification for members. – 5. A person shall not be qualified to chosen as 
a member of the Village Council unless he- 
(a) is a citizen of India; and 
(b) is not less than twenty one years of age. 
Duration. – 7. Every Village “Council shall continue for such period as the 
customary practice and usage require. 
Tenure of members. – 7. All members shall hold office during the life of the 
Village Council: 
Provided that a member chosen to fill in a casual vacancy shall hold office for 
the remainder of the term of office of the member whom he replaced. 
Chairman. – 8. (1) The Village Council will choose a member as Chairman 
of the Council. 
(2)During the absence of the Chairman from any sitting of the Village Council 
a member of the Council nominated by the Chairman shall act as Chairman. 
Power to remove members. – 9. (1) The State Government may remove any  
member of a Village Council from his office – 
(a) who is convicted of any non-bailable offence by a court of law; or 
(b) who refuses to act or became incapable of acting; or 
(c) who is declared to be insolvent; or 
(d)  who has been declared by notification in the 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 meetings in a year of the Village 
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 Village 
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. 
Conduct of business. – 10. 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 kept in the ‘local 
dialect. 
Session. – 11. A Village Council shall be summoned to meet as and when 
required by the Chairman thereof. 
Powers and duties. – 12. The following shall be the powers and duties of a 
Village Council for the development and welfare of the village, namely:- 
(1) to formulate scheme for water supply, village roads, village forests, village 
sanitation, education and other social welfare activities; 
(2)  to help various Government agencies in carrying out development works 
in the village; 
(3) To take up development works on its own initiative or on request by the 
Government. 
Power to do certain acts in the event of an epidemic. – 13. On the out break 
of an epidemic or an infectious disease, Village Council shall have power to take all 
or any of the following measures for controlling and preventing the spread of the 
epidemic or infectious disease in the area within its jurisdiction, namely: 
(i)  restriction  of movement of the infected person or other persons or goods 
or domestic animals within its jurisdiction; 
(ii)  provision for vaccination or inoculation, as the case may be; 
(iii)  seizure of any polluted food-stuff; 
(iv)  disinfection of well, tanks or other sources of water supply; and  
(v)  doing of such other acts as may be necessary. 
Administration of justice. – 14 (1) Every Village Authority or Village 
Council constituted under the law in force from time to time shall administer justice 
within the village limit 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, along with the neighbouring Village Councils, may 
settle a dispute in a joint session or refer it to the appropriate authority. 
Village Administration. – 15. (1) The Village Council shall be auxiliary to 
the administration and shall have full powers to deal with ordinary matters of internal 
administration of village. 
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the forgoing power, 
the Village Council shall discharge the following functions, namely: - 
(a) to maintain law and order in the village. In serious cases offender may be 
arrested but such person should be handed over to nearest Administrative 
Officer or Police Officer without undue delay; 
(b) to report to the nearest Administrative Officer occurrence of any un-
natural death or serious accident; 
(c) to inform the presence of strangers, vagabonds, suspects to the nearest 
Administrative Officer or Police Station; 
(d) to enforce orders passed by the competent authority on the village as a 
whole; 
(e) to enforce outbreak of epidemics to the nearest Administrative Officer or 
Medical Officer; 
(f) no transfer of immovable property shall be affected without the knowledge 
of Village Council. Written record of this shall be maintained by the local 
Administrative Officer. 
Disqualification. – 16. A person shall be disqualified from being selected as 
and for being a member of a Village Council: - 
(1) if he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court 
or such authority as may be recognized 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 he has been convicted by a Court in India of 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 particulars case, has 
elapsed since his release; or  
(4) if having held an office under the Regional or Area Council he has 
been found guilty of corruption, disloyalty or breach of Area or Regional Council 
law; unless a period of five years of such less period as the State Government may 
allow in any particular case, has elapsed since his becoming so disqualified; or  
(5) if he is an un-discharged insolvent; or 
(6) if he is a salaried Government servant or employee of a Regional or 
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 he is a member of any other Village 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. 
Decision on question of disqualification of a member. – 17. If any question 
arises as to whether a member of a 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. 
Vacation of seat. – 18. A seat shall become vacant: 
(1) when a member dies; or  
(2) when a member resigns his seat by writing under his hand; or  
(3) when a member is removed by the State Government on becoming 
disqualified. 
Filling of casual vacancy. – 19. When a seat becomes vacant the Chairman 
shall: 
(1) call upon the village concerned to choose a member; or  
(2) request the Deputy Commissioner to appoint a person in case of a Gaon 
Burrah. 
Exclusion of courts jurisdiction. – 20. No selection of member of a Village 
Council shall be called in question in any court, and no court shall grant an injuction - 
(a) to postpone the selection of a member of a Village Council or a Village 
authority; or  
(b) to prohibit a person, declared to have been duly selected under this Act, 
from taking part in the proceedings of the Village Council of which he has 
been selected a member; or  
(c) to prohibit member nominated or selected for a Village Council from 
entering upon his duties. 
Selection disputes. – 21. If 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. 
Incorporation. – 22. 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 sue and be sued 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. 
Control of Village Council. – 23. Subject to the general superintendence of 
the State Government/the Deputy Commissioner/ the Additional Deputy 
Commissioner or Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) in-charge of the Sub-Division, the 
Extra Assistant Commissioner or the Circle Officer shall have control over all the 
Village Councils or village authorities within the local limit of his jurisdiction. 
 
CHAPTER  II 
AREA COUNCIL 
 
 Constitution. – 24. There shall be an Area Council for each area specified in 
the Schedule to this Act. 
Composition. – 25. The Area Council shall consist of members elected by the 
Village Council in proportion of one member for a population of 500 and part thereof 
not below 250: 
Provided that a village with a population of less than 500 shall be represented 
one member each. 
Qualification for membership. – 26. A person shall not be qualified to be 
elected as a member of an Area Council unless he; 
(1) is a citizen of India; and  
(2) has attained the age of 21 years. 
Chairman. – 27. (1) There shall be a Chairman elected from amongst the 
members of the Area Council. 
(2) During the absence of the Chairman from any sitting of the Area Council a 
member of the Council nominated by the Chairman shall act as Chairman. 
Secretary. – 28. The local Administrative Officer shall be the Ex-officio 
Secretary to the Area Council. 
Duration. – 29. Every Area Council, unless sooner dissolved by the State 
Government shall continue for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting: 
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. 
Tenure of member. – 30. All member shall hold office during the life of the 
Area Council: 
Provided 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. 
Power to remove members. – 31. (1) The State Government may remove 
any member of an Area Council from his office – 
(a) who is convicted of any non-bailable offence by a court of law; or  
(b)  who refuses to act, or became incapable of acting; or 
(c) Who is declared to be insolvent; or  
(d) Who has been declared by notification in Gazette 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 meetings 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 member 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. 
Power to do certain acts in the event of an epidemic.- 32. On the out-break 
of an epidemic or an infectious disease, the Area Council shall have power to take all 
or any of the following measures for controlling and preventing the spread of the 
epidemic or infectious disease in the area within its jurisdiction, namely: - 
(i) restriction of the movement of the inflected person or other person or 
goods or domestic animals within its jurisdiction; 
(ii) provisions for vaccination or inoculation, as the case may be; 
(iii) seizure of any polluted food-stuff; 
(iv) dis-infection of wells, tanks or other sources of water supply; and  
(v) doing of such other acts as may be necessary. 
Session. – 33. An Area Council, shall meet at least twice and not more than 
four times in a year. 
Conduct of business. – 34. 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. 
Powers and duties. -  35. (1) The Area Council shall examine the 
developmental scheme formulated by various Village 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 State Government; or  
(c) any other matter referred toit by any other authority. 
(3) Subject to the prior approval of the Government and after the notification 
in the Gazette an Area Council shall have power to impose and collect: - 
(a) Cess 
(b) Tax on Bazar, village road 
(c) tolls for bridge constructed and maintained by an Area Council from its 
own resources; 
(d) charges for water supply constructed and maintained by the Area Council 
from its own sources. 
Fund. – 36. (1) The funds of the Area Council shall consist of grants or 
subsidies and money raised by realization of tax, cess, toll. 
(2) the regular maintenance of accounts of the Area Council fund and its safe 
custody shall be the duty of its Secretary. 
Disqualification. – 37. A person shall be disqualified from being elected as, 
and for being a member of an Area Council – 
(1) if he is unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court or 
such other authority as may be recognized by the State Government; or  
(2) if he is not a citizen of India or has voluntarily acquired citizenship of 
a foreign nation or is under acknowledgement of allegiance of a foreign nation; or  
(3) if he has been convicted by a Court in India of 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; 
(4) if having held an office under a Regional or an Area Council he has 
been found guilty of corruption, disloyalty or breach of an Area or a Regional 
Council law; unless a period of five years or such less period as the State Government 
may allow in any particular case, has elapsed since his becoming so disqualified; or  
(5) if he is an undischarged insolvent; or  
(6) if he is salaried Government servant or employee of a Regional of an 
Area Council; or  
(7) it he abstains himself from the majority of meetings in a year and is 
unable to explain such absence to the satisfaction of the Council; or 
(8) it he is a member of any other Area or Regional 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 such dismissal; or  
(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 State Government for the supply of goods 
to or for the execution of any works undertaken by that Government. 
Decision on question of disqualification of member. – 38. 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. 
Vacation of Member’s seat – 39. A seat shall becomes vacant: - 
(1) when a member dies; 
(2) when a member resign his seat by writing under his hand; or  
(3) when a member is removed by the State Government on becoming 
disqualified. 
Vacation of office of Chairman. – 40. 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 by writing under his hand addressed to the 
Secretary of the Area Council; or  
(3) If a resolution is passed by the Area Council removing him from office 
by a minimum of two-third of the total membership of the Council present and 
voting. 
Filling of casual vacancy. – 41. When a seat becomes vacant the Chairman 
shall. – 
(1) notify the vacancy in the Official Gazette; and 
(2) call upon the Village Council concerned to elect a new member. 
Exclusion of Courts Jurisdiction. – 42. No election of a member of an Area 
Council shall be called in question in any court, and no court shall grant an injuction:- 
(a) to postpone the election of a member of an Area Council; or  
(b) to prohibit a person, declared to have been duly elected under this Act, 
from taking part in the proceedings of an Area Council of which he has 
been elected a member; or  
(c) to prohibit member elected to an Area Council from entering upon his 
duties. 
Election disputes. – 43. If a dispute arises as to the election of any member of 
an Area Council, the matter shall be referred to the State Government whose 
decisions thereon shall be final. 
Incorporation. – 44. 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 said name sue and be sued through its Chairman, with 
power to acquire, hold and dispose of property both moveable and immovable and to 
contract and do all other things, necessary for the purpose of this Act. 
Control of Area Council – 45. Subject to the general superintendence and 
control of the State 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. 
 
CHAPTER  III 
REGIONAL COUNCIL 
 Constitution. – 46. There shall be a Regional Council for each of the Kohima 
and Mokokchung districts. 
Composition. – 47. The Regional Council shall consist of : - 
(1) one member from every 6,000 population; and  
(2) two persons to be nominated by the State Government. 
Qualification. – 48. A person shall not be qualified to be elected as member 
of a Regional Council unless he: - 
(1) is a citizen of India; and  
(2) has attained the age of 25 years. 
Chairman. – 49. (1) There shall be a Chairman of the Regional Council 
elected from amongst the members of the Regional Council. 
(2) During the absence of the  Chairman from any sitting of the Regional 
Council a member of the Council nominated by the Chairman shall act as Chairman. 
Secretary. – 50. An Extra Assistant Commissioner in the office of the Deputy 
Commissioner shall be an Ex-officio Secretary to the Regional Council. 
Duration. – 51. A Regional Council unless sooner dissolved by the State 
Government, shall continue for five years from the date of its first meeting: 
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. 
Tenure. – 52. All members shall hold office during the life of the Regional 
Council: 
Provided that a member elected or nominated to fill a casual vacancy shall 
hold office for the reminder of the term of the member whom he replaced. 
Session. – 53. A Regional Council shall meet at least twice and not more than 
four time in a year. 
Conduct of business. – 54. The procedure for the conduct of business in a 
Regional Council shall be as may be regulated by rules from time to time by the State 
Government. 
Powers and duties. – 55. (1) The Regional Council shall advise the State 
Government on the matters relating to Administration of law and order by means of 
passing resolution and submitting it to the State Government. 
(2) The Regional Council shall actively assist the Stat Government in 
implementing the development work by exerting its influence on the Village and Area 
Councils. 
(3) The Regional Council shall discuss matters relating to the general welfare 
of the district as a whole and shall exert its influence over the Area and Village 
Councils for achieving balanced development in all sphere of activities. 
(4) Regional Council shall attend to any other matter referred to it by any Area 
Council for advice or decision specially with regard to inter-tribal problems and 
disputes. 
Disqualification. – 56. A person shall be disqualified from being elected as, 
and for being a member of the Regional Council: - 
(1) if he is unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court or such 
other authority as may be recognized by the State Government; or  
(2) if he is not a citizen of India or has voluntarily acquired citizenship of a 
foreign nation or is under acknowledgement of allegiance to a foreign 
nation; or  
(3) if he has been convicted by a court in India of 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 the Regional or Area Council he has been 
found guilty of corruption, disloyalty or breach of Regional or Area 
Council law; unless a period of five years or such less period as the State 
Government may allow in any particular case, has elapsed since his 
becoming so disqualified; or  
(5) if he is an undischarged insolvent; or  
(6) if he is a salaried Government servant or an employee of a Regional or an 
Area Council; or  
(7) if he abstains himself from the majority of meeting in a year and is unable 
to explain such absence to the satisfaction of the Council; or  
(8) if he is a member of any other Regional, 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 such dismissal; or  
(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 State Government for the 
supply of goods to, or for the execution of any works undertaken by that 
Government. 
Decision on question of disqualification of members. – 57. If any question 
arises as to whether a member of the Regional Council has been subject to 
disqualification the question shall be referred to the decision of the State Government 
whose decision thereon shall be final. 
Vacation of Member’s seat. – 59. A member holding the office as a 
Chairman of a Regional Council shall vacate his office – 
(1) on ceasing to be a member of the said Council; or  
(2) when a member resigns his seat by writing under his hand; or  
(3) when a member is removed by the State Government on becoming 
disqualified. 
Vacation of office of Chairman. – 59. A member holding the office of a 
Chairman of a Regional Council shall vacate his office – 
(1) on ceasing to be a member of the said Council; or  
(2) when he resigns his seat by writing under his hand addressed to the 
Secretary to the Regional Council; or  
(3) If a resolution is passed by the Regional Council removing him from 
office by a minimum of two-third of the total membership of the Council 
present and voting. 
Filling of casual vacancy. – 60. When a seat becomes vacant the Chairman 
shall. – 
(1) notify the vacancy in the Official Gazette; and 
(2) (a) call upon the Area Council concerned to elect a member; or 
(b) request the State Government to nominate a person. 
Power to remove members. – 61. (1) The State Government may remove 
any member of a Regional Council from his office: - 
(a) who is convicted of any non-bailable offence by a court of law; or  
(b) who refuses to act or became 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 Regional Council 
absents himself from the majority of meetings in a year of the Regional 
Council; or  
(f) who has 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 Regional 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. 
Exclusion of courts jurisdiction. – 62. No election of a member of a 
Regional Council shall be called in question in any court, and no court shall grant an 
injuction: 
(a) to postpone the election of a member of a Regional Council; or  
(b) to prohibit a person, declared to have been duly elected under this Act, 
from taking part in the proceedings of a Regional Council of which he has 
been elected a member; or  
(c) to prohibit a member nominated or elected to a Regional Council from 
entering upon his duties. 
Election disputes. – 63. If a dispute arises as to the election of member of a 
Regional Council, the matter shall be referred to the State Government whose 
decision thereon shall be final. 
Incorporation. – 64. Every Regional Council shall be a body corporate by the 
name of the district for which it is constituted and shall have perpetual succession and 
a common seal, and shall by the said name sue or be sued through its Secretary, with 
power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both moveable and immovable and to 
contract and do all other things necessary for the purposes of this Act. 
Control of Regional Council. – 65. Subject to the general superintendence 
and control by the State Government, the Deputy Commissioner shall have control 
over the Regional Council in his district. 
 
CHAPTER  IV 
MISCELLANEOUS 
 Power to make rules. – 66. (1) The State Government my 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 following matters namely: - 
(a) for conduct of election to the Regional Council and Area Councils; 
(b) for delimitation of constituencies for election to the Regional and Area 
Councils; 
(c) for pay and allowances of members and Chairman of the Area and 
Regional Councils; 
(d) appointment of officers and staff of the Area and Regional Councils and 
their conditions of service; 
(e) custody and disposal of Area Council funds; 
(f) procedure for maintenance of accounts and audit; 
(g) rate of tax, toll or cess and procedure for its imposition and recovery; 
(h) procedure for conduct of business of Village, Area and Regional Councils; 
(i) any other connected matter in respect of which it is necessary to make 
rules for the constitution and proper functioning of the Village, Area and 
Regional Councils. 
(30 Every rule made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it 
is made, the Nagaland Legislative Assembly while it is in session 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 in the rule or the Nagaland Legislative Assembly agree that the rule 
should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or 
be of no effect as the case may be; so however, that any such modification or 
annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done 
under this rule. 
Repeal. – 67. The Nagaland Tribal, Area, Range and Village Councils Act, 
1696 is hereby repealed.  
Savings. – 68. All powers, rights and duties given by this Act shall be in 
addition to and not in derogation 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. 
Power to remove difficulties. – 69. (1) If any difficulty or doubt arises in 
giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the State Government may, by Order 
published in Gazette, make such provisions, not inconsistent with the purpose of this 
Act as appears to it to be necessary or expedient for the removal of the difficulty or 
doubt; and the Order of the State Government in such cases shall be final. 
(2) Every Order made under this section  shall be laid as soon as may be after 
it is made, before the Assembly while it is in session for a total period of seven days 
which may be comprised in one session or in two successive session and if, before the 
expiry of the session in which it is so laid or the session immediately following the 
Assembly agree in making any modification in the Order or the Assembly agree that 
the Order should not be made, the Order shall thereafter have effect only in such 
modified form or be of no effect as the case may be, so however, that any such 
modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything 
previously done under this Order. 
Dissolution. – 70. (1) If the State Government on receipt of a report from the 
Deputy Commissioner of a district or otherwise is satisfied that a situation has arisen 
in which the Village/Area/Regional Council cannot function in accordance with the 
provisions of this Act, the State Government may, by order published in the Gazette, 
direct that the Council shall be dissolved from such date and for such period as may 
be specified in the notification. 
(2) When the Village/Area/Regional Council is dissolved under the provisions 
of sub-section (1): - 
(a) all members notwithstanding that their term of office has not expired, shall 
from the date of dissolution, vacate their office as such members; 
(b) all powers and duties of the Village/Area/Regional Council shall during 
the period of dissolution, be exercised by such person or persons as the 
State Government may appoint in this behalf; 
(c) all funds and other property vested in the Village/Area/Regional Council 
shall, during the period of dissolution, vest in the State Government; and  
(d) as soon as the period of dissolution expires, the Village/Area/Regional 
Council shall be reconstituted in accordance with the provisions of this 
Act. 
(3) Every Order made under this section shall be laid as soon as may be after 
it is made, before the Assembly while it is in session 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 Assembly agree in making any modification in the order or the Assembly agree 
that the order should not be made, the order shall thereafter have effect only in such 
modified form or be of no effect as the case may be; so however, that any such 
modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything 
previously done under this Order. 
 
SCHEDULE  
(See Section 24) 
LIST OF AREA COUNCILS 
KOHIMA DISTRICT :- 
1. Southern Angami Area Council 
2. Northern Angami Area Council  
3. Western Angami Area Council 
4. Phek Area Council 
5. Pfutsero Area Council 
6. Chazouba Area Council 
7. Meluri Area Council 
8. Ghaspani Area Council 
9. Peren Area Council 
10. Tseminyu Area Council 
11. Dimapur Area Council 
12. Tening Area Council 
13. Chizami Area Council 
14. Chetheba Area Council 
15. Phungkhuri Area Council 
 
 
 
MOKOKCHUNG DISTRICT :- 
1. Ongpangkong Area Council 
2. Asetkong Area Council 
3. Langpangkong Area Council 
4. Changkikong Area Council 
5. Japukong Area Council 
6. Upper Lotha Area Council 
7. Middle Lotha Area Council 
8. Lower Lotha Area Council 
9. Zunheboto Area Council 
10. Aghunato Area Council 
11. Satakha Area Council 
12. Suruhoto Area Council 
13. Akuluto Area Council 
14. Satoi Area Council 
15. Atoizu Area Council 
16. Poghuboto Area Council. 
 

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