Chief Minister & Leader of the house, Neiphiu Rio in his concluding remarks on the discussion on the budget 2023-2024 thanked all the participants for raising constructive criticism, suggestions and pertinent issues of importance to the state and public.
On designation of Advisors, the leader of the house said that the issue needs to be discussed and it is beyond our purview since the court has already struck down the nomenclature ‘Parliamentary Secretary” in its adjudication when the downsizing came into effect. For a small state like Nagaland, the council of ministers is limited to Chief Minister and other 11 ministers, he added.
On construction of High Court building, he said that 30 crores have been sanctioned during 2022-2023 on Special Assistance and 80-85% of the works has been completed. It has been delayed partly due to CBI case and partly due to outbreak of COVID 19. Rio also mentioned that the funds have been provided by the state government only unlike other NE states like Meghalaya and Tripura where central funds were provided for construction of High Courts. He also informed to the members of the house that the constitutional amendment is required to have a separate High Court for which he had already appraised the matter to Union Home Minister and Union Minister for Law & Justice on different occasions.
Rio informed that two multi-level parking in Kohima town funded by Smart city Development is soon to be completed and nearing it inauguration.
On government servants not attending offices and funds allotted being diverted to other activities, he assured that he will take these issues seriously and further informed that quarterly review will be on regular basis. He appreciated the participants for having a meaningful and productive participation during the discussion on the budget.
On GST, he said that deductions were made in advance on order to avoid defaulting by the contractors & Suppliers.
He also briefed to the house on the issue of exploration of Petroleum, Oil and Natural Gas while replying to a question raised by MLA, Achumbemo. Border dispute should be amicably settled on the Disturbed Area Belt before exploration and extraction of oil in done, if not royalty tax has to be shared, he informed. He further said that the state will start for exploration and extraction if only royalty tax from DAB is satisfied to us. He also emphasised on the need of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Government, where Art 371(A) shall be adequately protected.
He also mentioned that the state government has been working hard to do away with bogus appointments where appointments without sanctioned posts are not issued PIMS and so salary is being released without PIMS.
Budget 2023-2024 has improved a lot to a large extent as compared to other previous years by bringing down the deficit of the state’s exchequer. He said huge amount has been spent for releasing the backlog of previous years yet he hoped that the budget would improve in the coming years through monitoring and proper regulation. On LADP, he assured that the government will look into as and when budgeting position improves.
On Human and Animal conflict and damage to properties and cultivation, he stated that a committee will be constituted to find out ways and means to handle the issue particularly where elephants roam freely in border areas.
On raising of upper age limit due to pandemic he informed that this is a subject which need thorough discussion and deliberation. On educational sector vis-à-vis shortfall of teachers particularly in eastern areas, he said that “Rationalisation of Teachers” is required by the Department in order to address the issue.
He said that the budget 2022-203 had a position balance in the current transaction with a sum of 150.30 cr only. He further stated that the number of employees drawing GPF amount is more than the number of employees depositing money into GPF account because of which there is a huge gap appeared in the total deficit.
(Gaizam, Nongozo, Wepre, Thungti Chang, Avika & Tiakumla)
