REPLY TO STARRED QUESTIONS
Replying to a starred question raised by Kuzholuzo Nienu, MLA on the second day of the Eleventh Session of the 13th NLA, Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton stated that packages I and III of the Kohima Bye-pass road have been terminated and are yet to be re-tendered. The Chief Minister added that the two packages would be re-tendered as and when land issues are resolved.
Replying to a starred question, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio stated that no work was taken up within Phek Town from 2020 till date by the Ministry of Urban Development. the Chief Minister stated that a total of Rs. 2062.57 crore was generated through CGST, SGST, and IGST for the year 2018 till 2021 and the revenues form part of the consolidated fund of the state and are utilized for financing the budgeted expenditure such as salaries, pensions, and debt servicing, and other activities of the state government.
REPORTING ON ASSENT TO BILLS
Dr. P.J. Anthony Commissioner & Secretary reported the assent of the Governor of Nagaland to the following Bills during the eleventh session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on 21st March 2022:
i) Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2021.
ii) The Nagaland Goods & Services Tax (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2021.
iii) The Nagaland Lokayukta (Second Amendment) Bill, 2021.
ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
The Annual Administrative Reports 2021-2022 of the following Departments were laid :
i. Finance.
ii. Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.
iii. State Council of Educational Research & Training.
iv. Youth Resources & Sports.
v. State Institute of Rural Development.
vi. Women Resource Development.
vii. Tourism.
viii. Industries & Commerce.
ix. Justice & Law.
x. Economics & Statistics.
xi. Agriculture.
xii. Cooperation.
xiii. Department of Planning & Co-ordination.
xiv. Department of Public Health Engineering.
xv. Department of Geology & Mining.
LAYING OF REPORTS/RULES
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio laid the following reports/rules:
- The Nagaland Motor Accident Claims Tribunal Rules, 2022.
- Rules of Micro & Small Enterprises Facilities council (MSEFC) Under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (27 of 2006).
PRESENTATION OF ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE REPORTS
Dr. Chotisuh Sazo, Chairman of the Committee on Subordinate Legislation (2021 - 2022) presented the following;
Seventy-Sixth Report on the Nagaland Building and other Construction Workers1
- (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2010.
- Seventy-Seventh Report on the Tribal Affairs Department Service Rules, 2020.
Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (2021- 2022), K. Tokugha Sukhalu presented a copy each of the following;
i) 126th Report of the Committee on Public Accounts (2021-2022) Action Taken by the Government on the Observations/Recommendations contained in the 120f Report of the Committee on the C & AG Report of India for the year 2012-2013.
ii) 127th Report of the Committee on Public Accounts (2021-2022) Action Taken by the Government on the Observations/Recommendations contained in the 122n Report of the Committee on the C & AG Report of India for the year 2013-2014.
INTRODUCTION OF GOVERNMENT BILLS
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister-in-charge for Home, and Roads & Bridges, Y. Patton moved for introduction of the "Nagaland Village and Tribal Councils (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022.
Minister for Soil & Water Conservation, and Geology & Mining V. Kashiho Sangtam moved for introduction of "Nagaland Groundwater (Regulation & Control of Development and Management) Bill, 2020 and also to introduce the Bill.
DEBATE ON MOTION OF THANKS TO THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS
Minister for Agriculture and Cooperation, G. Kaito Aye, while participating in the debate, remarked that in his long inning in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, the Governor's Address presented in the 11th session of 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on 19th March 2022 as one of the best ever without bias to any department. Kaito said that the Governor's Address indicated the success of the government's policies and its activities which shows the commitment of the present-day government to take the state forward in all-round development.
Dr. Imtiwapang Aier, MLA congratulated the member of the house for going paperless in the Assembly, and for taking the bold decision to hold the ULB election with 33% Women Reservation. He made suggestions for corrective measures in regard to border issues, especially in Mokokchung District, he also asked the government to streamline the ways and means regarding petroleum and natural resources as envisaged in Art.371(A) of the constitution of India for the benefit of the people of Nagaland. Dr. Aier requested the government to place the SIT Report of the Oting incident at the earliest and urged the government to also meet the aspirations of the Naga people regarding the construction of Foothill Road so as to ease the inconveniences faced by the commuters.
MLA, Yitachu asked the government to not only look into the problems between Assam-Nagaland borders but also with Arunachal Pradesh, Myanmar and Manipur. He requested the House to initiate help to the deprived Naga people who are settled in these bordering areas, and suggested that the areas bordering Myanmar should have developmental activities.
Advisor for Horticulture and Border Affairs, Mhathung Kithan said the Governor's Address contained the accumulated achievements of the government, therefore, endorsed the address in totality. On Naga Political issue, he said various sections of the society, be it government or civil society or faith-based organizations, all should work together for an early settlement that is acceptable, honorable, transparent, and inclusive.
He also lauded the government of the day for the creation of 4 new districts, which is to bring not only development at the doorsteps but also to fulfill the aspirations and emotional cry of the people. On Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he said it was a notable initiative by the government with its theme "Leaving No One Behind."
Imkong L. Imchen, MLA appreciated the efforts of the Government for taking every possible step to bring development to the door step of every person and towards this end creating the four new districts namely Tseminyu, Niuland, Chumokedima, and Shamator. He however brought forth before the house the need to also declare and upgrade Meluri subdivision as a full-fledged District. Imchen requested the house to take into consideration the size of the landmass of Meluri, the remoteness of the area as well as the rich mineral deposits in the area and that the up-gradation would be economically beneficial not just for the people of Meluri but also for the entire State.
Dr. Chumben Murry, MLA said the state of Nagaland has unique developmental disadvantages because of insurgency, lack of revenue, and dependence on the central government for funds. He said Kohima town is slowly turning into a city that it ought to be. He added that the solution that is to come by should be for the people, not just the 60 members of the august house nor the naga political groups alone, therefore, the movement should peacefully be a mass movement. On the allocation of reserved seats for women in the ULBs, he suggested that any formula for the reservation should be comprehensive of the whole duration that will be imposed, i.e. for 15 years or three terms.
In his concluding remarks and moving the Adoption of Motion if Thanks to the Governor's Address, the Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio said that the state government has exhibited unity to form an opposition less government when it came to Naga Political Issue. Speaking on remarks and suggestions by the members on the Governor's Address, Rio said the desire of the people to demand a new district for their tribes or their people has come up, and a committee headed by the Commissioner of Nagaland has been created for such concerns. Rio said that if the State takes delimitation into consideration and tries to rearrange the constituencies, it can meet the demands of the people.
Regarding the inter-state boundary issues with Assam, Arunachal, Manipur, and also with Myanmar, he said that the government is taking things in a positive manner through proper negotiations and talks. On the issue of oil and natural gas exploration in the Assam-Nagaland border, Rio said that the State would take steps to seek cooperation from the Centre and government of Assam and also share royalties.
Rio said the ULB election will be conducted as per the resolution passed during the Consultative meeting held on 9th March 2022. He also added that the elections would be held as per the 74th amendment of the Constitution of India. For which, steps have been taken up to conduct the elections, and preparation of intensive electoral roll will be carried out.
On DUDA, the Chief Minister said the budget was reduced for some time yet the state has been continuously giving its share to the Department. He also mentioned that the state government would give more funds to the Department so that more hostels will be established for ENPO students facing hardships due to the non-availability of accommodation.
Rio said the foothill area stretching from Nagaland to Manipur border is considered a 'Rice bowl and rich in mineral deposits. "And its construction has been delayed due to border issues and financial constraints. The state government has pleaded to the central government for declaration of it as a National Highway but it needed prior approval of the Prime Minister since NH has been moved out from MORTH. Since there was a hue and cry for completion of this road, due to which funds have been provided for construction of Doyang Bridge which will be completed before monsoon, he added. In other areas of the foothill road, the tender has been floated and orders are being issued for construction before the monsoon. Rio also assured to give more funds from other sources in the event of funding delay from the Central government so as to make this road pliable.
Rio said, for the ULB elections, intensive updation of the electoral roll is being carried out and 29 towns were identified; citing the example of Manipur not having problems with taxation and reservation, the smaller towns can adopt the same rural town systems so that those towns can get VDB funding, and other district headquarters that are willing to urbanize can take up ULB and update the towns.
The House adopted the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address.
(Atuzo, Nongozo, Kekhiye, Morotsung, Takumpula)
