Initiating the general discussion on the budget for the year 2022-2023, Minister for Planning & Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, Neiba Kronu described the budget 2022-2023 as the best ever budget presented since the government has introduced welfare schemes like the Chief Minister's Micro Finance Initiative where the government will facilitate credit flow to our hard working farmers and entrepreneurs. The scheme will make credit more affordable and available to individuals, Self- Help Groups and Farmer Producer Organisations. In this, the government will provide for either subsidy or interest subvention against identified activities. He also said that allocating two crores for the Forest Department for plantation of fruits and trees of economic importance was a good initiative since our environment could be further protected with the coming up of this program. He also lauded the leader of the house for amicably resolved land issues at the proposed 186 MW hydro power project, Dikhu.
Taking part in the general discussion on the 2022-2023 budget on 24th March 2022, Dr Chotisuh Sazo, MLA stated that still about 80% of the State's population depend on agriculture and allied activities for their livelihoods. He said that in the previous year, there was a decline in cultivation due to pest infection. He urged the concerned authority to mitigate the loss of the farmers due to the poor cultivation.
Dr Sazo also highlighted on the lack of teachers, particularly science, mathematics and Hindi teachers, in government schools. He stated that many of the people, especially people from the economically weaker section, depend on Government schools. While appreciating the recruitment advertisement for teachers, he called for more recruitments in the coming days. On the Housing for All scheme, he urged that the pending funds be released to the beneficiaries at the earliest.
While appreciation the 2022-2023 budget for delivering a positive balance, Advisor for Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Evaluation and Economics and Statistics, L Khumo hoped that the programmes & schemes planned are taken up properly. He also called for more measures for improvement in the finance of the State.
MLA Chumben Murry while participating in the general discussion for the budget 2022-23 congratulated the Chief Minister who also hold the Finance portfolio for presenting a people friendly budget. Appreciating the CM on the announcement of the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme and the Chief Minister’s Micro Finance Initiative, Dr Murry stated that the much needed and innovative schemes will benefit the people of the State. He also appreciated the Chief Minister for giving ample importance to youth and sports, agri and allied sectors and animal husbandry.
C. L. John, MLA also participating in the discussion termed the budget as a need based budget and hailed the budget for its practicality and utility. He further called for the proper and honest utilisation of the funds allotted to different departments so that everyone will benefit equally from the innovative initiatives undertaken by the government under the budget.
Minister for Housing and Mechanical, Tongpang Ozukum, while participating in the general discussion on the budget for the year 2022-2023 said that the settlement of the Naga Political issue occupies the top most priority for the ruling UDA government and the 60 elected members of the State Assembly who are mandated representatives of the people are genuinely concerned and serious about pushing towards an amicable and acceptable conclusion to the long pending Naga Political issue and further added that no one should doubt or question the role of the legislators as facilitators. Ozukum also commended the Department Of Power for the marked improvement in revenue collection owing to the introduction of the pre-paid meters in certain major municipalities. He also hailed the introduction of the "Chief Minister's Micro Finance Initiative" and the "Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme" as the biggest achievement of the Government and said that these new initiatives would greatly benefit the people of Nagaland especially the farmers and the young and upcoming entrepreneurs.
Amenba Yaden, MLA speaking during the general discussion on the budget for the year 2022-2023 highlighted the sorry plight of the present and retired employees of the now defunct Tuli Pulp and Paper Company Limited and requested the house to take the matter into consideration. He also shed light on the lack of teaching and administrative staff, especially science and maths teachers, in government high schools and requested the Department of School Education to look into the matter at the earliest.
MLA, Imkong L Imchen while taking part in the Budget discussion stated that the Ministers and Advisors in charge of the various departments of the State Government should discharge their duties and make sure that the funds allotted to the department in the budget are used judiciously. He also congratulated the Chef Minister for yielding a positive balance of Rs 150.30 crore in the current transaction.
MLA, Vikheho Swu while participating in discussion thanked the government for presenting zero deficit budget for which he termed it as "Progressive and Forward Looking Budget." He also urged the government of the day to improve in the areas of infrastructure development, Human Resource Development, Capacity Building, and strongly emphasised on the importance of making music and sports as one of the most important activities. He also added that the talents and potentials of our present day youths in music and sports particularly in rural areas should also be tapped. He expressed the need to have career building for our sportspersons, and also suggested to give coaches to all the districts in the state. Swu also urged the present generation to think beyond one's own tribe.
MLA, Chotisüh Sazo urged the government to give more funds so as to mitigate the poor harvest due to irregular rainfall, adding that 80% of the state's population depends on agri & allied sector. Sazo also requested the government to address shortage of Maths, Science and Hindi teachers at the earliest.
MLA, Yitachu pointed out some important areas like airport, railways and inland waterways which needed to be incorporated in the budget. He also emphasized on the importance and promotion of trade centres in border areas as it will give gainful employment to unemployed educated youths. On PMGSY, he urged the concerned department to effectively implement the program and expedite the work progress as good roads will give immense benefits to the people domiciled in rural areas. On Foothill road, he is of the view that the Trans- Eastern Highway should not limit within the state of Nagaland instead it should be extended to all parts of the state bordering other states or countries. He expressed appreciation and welcomed the introduction of PIMS in the system of governance which he said was a sign of the State moving towards full progress and prosperity.
Minister PHED, Jacob Zhimomi lauded the leader of the house, Neiphiu Rio for presenting a surplus budget. He said the budget was well distributed to all the departments despite the limited budget. Zhimomi expressed appreciation over the Chief Minister's Micro Finance Initiative with an objective to give impetus to the aspiring entrepreneurs by way of facilitating them to avail credit, and the SARFAESI Act being made feasible as per the need so as to give gainful employment to young entrepreneurs venture into profitable businesses.
Liquidity is the most difficult aspect for an educated unemployed youth though we have land, he added. Zhimomi also thanked the leader of the house for incorporation of medical coverage in the budget, which showed the health concerns of our citizens. On Agri & Allied sector, he said our economy is derived from agriculture due to which we must find a way for our farmers to sell their produce so that they will have the better avenues and yield maximum results out of it. On music & sports, he said the state government has been witnessing the growth and development under the initiative of the present Chief Minister.
Advisor, Prisons, Printing & Stationery, Haiying described the budget 2022-2023 as practical and visionary. He thanked the government of the day for creation of new districts, and also requested for development to newly created districts.
Leader NPF Legislators Party, T.R Zeliang while participating in the discussion suggested the use of technology such as Electronic Metre Reading System and Pre- Paid System to check power theft and payment irregularities.
Chief Minister & Leader of the House, Neiphiu Rio while summarising the budget discussion extended his appreciation and gratitude to all the legislators for meaningfully participating and giving positive suggestions during the budget discussion. He said he fully endorsed what the members have said during the day-long discussion on budget. Rio said the Chief Minister's Micro Finance Initiative will give a big boost to young entrepreneurs venture into businesses and the SARFAESI Act has been made feasible because of which aspiring entrepreneurs could avail loans from the banks. On customary laws and usages, Rio said that the process of documentation and compilation is going on in the line of Article 371(A).
On power sector, he said that the power purchase is more than the revenue collection. 10000 each pre-metering has been installed in Kohima and Dimapur due to which there is huge improvement in tax collection. Under JICA, 91 villages have already been covered out of 185 villages to be covered. On undergoing construction of High Court, the construction work has been put on halt due to CBI case. On NST bus services, Rio said that the government has already sanctioned Rs. 4 Crores for purchase of new buses and asked the concerned department to deploy those buses wherever necessary. On introduction of e-pay bill system, the Chief Minister said that salaries are paid only to those PIMS registered employees, thereby verifying the genuineness of the employees and also preventing a person from employment in more than one department.
(Nongozo, Wepre, Temjenkaba, Akummeren & Morotsung)