The general discussion on the budget presented by CM Neiphiu Rio began on 19th February, 2021.
MLA, Imkong L Imchen, initiating the discussion on general budget, appreciated the unanimous adoption of the resolution which he said will benefit in the ongoing peace talk to arrive at an early solution. Imchen further suggested that the resolution should be taken into practical steps and bring it to the notice of the PM of India and the stakeholders especially the participants in the negotiations parties.
Also commenting on the budget 2021-2022, Imchen said that in all the successive terms, the government had presented deficit budget but not as alarming as this year's budget. He stated that Naga people have every right to expect better financing, disciplining and management. However, he lamented that the budgetary and financial management were never as per exception of the people which needs serious introspection.
On the sectorial allocations he said that the allocations are mostly spent on construction activities adding that the department have not proposed any developmental initiatives but on assets and constructions. Imchen also highlighted on Kelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu and pointed out that it was the first Polytechnic institution the government established and therefore he reiterated that it should be made a full-fledged Engineering college of the State. Imchen also drawing the attention of H& FW said that cost of COVID testing is on the higher side and called on the department to clarify on the high cost of the test. He also highlighted on various issues of state finance and power sectors.
MLA, Dr. Chumben Murry, participating in the budget discussion pointed that, year 2020 has been unprecedented due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He appealed the Government of the day to prepare for future pandemic.
He mentioned that, the Department of Water Resource need reforms as it is an important area that is directly related to health & economic. The amount of manpower spent on fetching water and purchasing from private source can be channelised to other resources and other activities, he added.
He also highlighted that, as per the Union Budget 2020-22, the central has planned to rationalised and downsized all centrally sponsor schemes on the recommendation of the 15th Finance commission and for which Nagaland do not see a promising day ahead. He stressed on the need to work upon and improve the tax and non-tax revenue collection.
MLA, Amenba Yaden, participating in the session appreciated the initiative taken by the government on an innovative model of cluster Agri development called 'Naga integrated settled farming' and stated that Nagaland farming holding is entirely different from mainland area, therefore requested the Department to properly research and validated in considerable area before applying in Mass scale.
IT&C, Science & Technology, NRE, Mmhonlumo Kikon, participating in the discussion, stated that the government has shown the leadership by safeguarding the interest of the citizen of all during the pandemic. He said that good governance has come back despite facing the pandemic and economic challenges. He stated that the government of the day is willing to discuss on good and constructive suggestions and take it positively.
MLA, Y.M. Yollow Konyak called upon the government to give equal importance to the development of all districts and not just concentrate on few. MLA, Dr. Imtiwapang Aier expressed his view that underdeveloped areas of all districts should also be included under Department of Under Developed Areas so that parity is maintained. MLA, Moatoshi Longkumer raised concern on State's dependence on import of important commodities from outside the State and frequent economic blockades imposed by neighbouring States from time to time.
MLA, Yitachu, participating in the budget discussion, called on the need for industrialisation in the State so as to improve the economic state and solve the unemployment problem in the State. He also suggested for opening of the State to other regions of the country and even other countries for the trading purpose, with special reference to the South East Asian countries in line with the Act East Policy. Yitachu suggested for proper planning while constructing roads in rural areas so that they do not create problems to the existing National Highways and State Highways. He stated that governance is for all and called for balancing of the Government's exchequer as it is needed for the State to progress. He suggested for bringing in investors and promoters in various sectors to improve the economic condition of the State. On the Naga Political issue, Yitachu opined that there is no ruling and opposition party. He said that his party will give their full assurance and cooperation for the final solution.
MLA, Dr. Chotisuh Sazo, while appreciation the Government for providing various machineries to the farmers, called for equal distribution of machineries to all the districts. He extended his appreciation to the Department of Information Technology & Communication and the IT sector, however he requested the service providers to provide better services as their services has drastically increased due to the restrictive measures of the Covid-19 pandemic. While pushing for outsourcing of various services, Sazo suggested for improvements in the revenue earning departments of the State.
Participating in the discussion on the budget for the year 2021-2022 Toshi Wungtung, Advisor IP&R, SCERT and Village Guards said that the welfare of the state and its people revolve around its economy. He highlighted the success story of the State in many aspects under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and how the state has successfully sailed through one of the toughest times courtesy of the Covid 19 pandemic. He further congratulated all the Departments under the Government of Nagaland for their impressive performance during the Pandemic. He stated that although Nagaland is a dependent State with little or no revenue sources of our own the budget has clearly covered all available avenues that has potential especially the agri and allied sector. He also acknowledged the austerity measures adopted by the Government for the good of the State as a whole. He concluded by terming the overall budget as “well balanced and promising for the future of our people”.
During the General Discussion on the Budget for the year 2021 -2022, held on 19th February 2021, the Leader of Opposition T.R. Zeliang said that the Budget presented by the Chief Minister and Minister- Incharge of Finance, Neiphiu Rio, is a ‘Contract Oriented Budget’ focused only on construction of infrastructures for various Government Departments.
The opposition leader also pointed out that according to the 15th Finance Commission our state has the second highest debt in the entire country since the State has projected to end up with a staggering deficit of Rs. 2,679.46 crore during financial year 2021-22.
He said that the unemployment rate is rising rapidly in the State but Budget 2021- 22 has no provisions to ease the alarming situation faced by the unemployed educated youths as Unemployment is growing every single day and unless, employment avenues are created for the unemployed youth, Government jobs alone will not be able to solve the ever increasing unemployment rate in the State.
Zeliang also pointed out that the COVID 19 pandemic has affected all sections of the society but there is no mention of the efforts made by the state to redress the grievances of the people, particularly the farmers and the business sector yet there is little mention of the assistance the government plans to provide to help rehabilitation. He also highlighted that the Nagaland Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules 2019, was issued after a delay of three years.
He said that the government had failed to bring any new Mega Projects for the State, to which they should be sincere to implement and complete within specified period on what was made available to them. Like the 4 lane road Dimapur to Kohima road that was supposed to be complete during 2019-20, the Kohima Smart City, JAICA external aided project and the Chiethu Airport project.
He also made mentions that the Department of Rural Development during this pandemic, should give special focus to streamline the implementation of MGNREGA which can help the farmers and rural section of the society, particularly the Job Card holders to rejuvenate the source of their income during this pandemic.
The Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio while delivering his concluding remarks on the discussion of the budget on 19th February 2021 stated that the House discussed the needs to bring reforms in the Power, Transport, Water and Mining sectors so as to reduce recurring expenditure of the Government. The Government will also focus on right sizing and rationalize the large manpower in the Government sector. The time has come to curtail Government expenditure and give more importance to revenue generation so that resource are available for development, he added.
Concluding his reply on the Budget discussion, he appreciated all members who participated in the discussion and that their valuable inputs have been duly noted.
(Wepre, Esuihangle, Akummeren, Tovikali, Nouneseno, Morotsung)
