Kohima, November 29 (MExN): Citing a clause under the 16-Point Agreement, the Nagaland Pradesh Committee Congress (NPCC) has sought more funds from the centre during its presentation to the 15th Finance Commission (XV-FC) on November 28.
In his address to the commission, NPCC President K Therie on behalf of the Party had collectively submitted a petition requesting to implement clause 11 of the 16-Point Agreement in respect to funding development and administration from the Government of India, a press release informed.
The clause deals with financial Assistance from the Government of India to supplement the revenues of Nagaland and other funding issues.
Therie also appreciated the 14th FC for the giant step in increasing tax devolution to the state from 32% to 42%, the release said.
He however noted the state Government has no welfare policy for the people. Farmers do not have Minimum Support Price (MSP) while citizens do not have healthcare policy and every day, people of about 30 households are reduced to the poorest of the poor because of medical treatment costs, he claimed.
“We want funding for targeting resource building, Agriculture Produce Marketing with MSP, employment generation projects, creation of permanent assets, health care policy for all citizens, increase in intake capacity of Agriculture University at Medziphema to 600 etc,” Therie stated.
The NPCC president further noted that the system of Checks and Balances has totally failed, adding the CBI itself is in doldrums.
“Lokayukta has been delayed while the State Vigilance Commission has turned into a shield for the corrupt," he alleged.
If rampant backdoor appointments, additional funds in the name of liabilities and false bills as is indicated by CAG reports are not controlled, the question of improvement does not arise, Therie further maintained.
Touching on the Naga political issue, he argued that Government of the day has left the public and executive with no option but to compromise and buy peace, since there is no protection to life and property. Ceasefire Ground Rules are without any provisions for food and water, maintained Therie, calling it a “deliberate punishment to the citizens.”
Therie further said that 21 years of negotiation without solution is unreasonable and GoI should provide peace funding component on all projects and salaries, and added “In 2003-04, I presented a surplus budget of Rs.18 crore. Today, the admitted deficit is Rs.1,834 crore + Civil deposit which together may be more than 3,000 crore.”
