DIMAPUR, JULY 3 (MExN): Member of Parliament, C M Chang on Saturday asserted that his priority is to relentlessly take up the long pending ‘Naga political talks’ in Parliament during the impending ‘Monsoon Session’ of Parliament this July. As the state’s only voice in the Lok Sabha, the MP said his other priorities will be to take up vital issues concerning the infrastructural development of the state.
Chang however expressed resentment over Parliament not taking up his questions for discussion in the house in the previous two sessions. He let known his displeasure during an interaction over tea with the local media.
The MP said that in the last ‘Winter’ and ‘Budget’ sessions of Parliament, he had put up questions with regard to the talks between the GoI and the NSCN-IM and projects taken up in Nagaland under the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR). Sadly for the state those questions were not taken up, Chang said.
The questions he put up were whether there is any definite timeframe to bring a solution to the talks with Naga political groups and if there is a solution, will it be in the form of a peace “package”.
“Till now nobody knows how far they have discussed”.
He went on to add that the queries he put up were “mixed up” with others put up by one MP from Arunachal Pradesh, which Chang said were not at all relevant with the ones he took up.
Regarding the projects taken up under NLCPR, especially in the road sector, the MP recalled that he had urged for speedy completion of the ongoing projects. And only after which fresh projects must be initiated. He though added that he had taken up this issue with the concerned DONeR secretary. The secretary had given assurance for the completion of the projects, Chang said.
“My duty is to see that these projects are implemented”, Chang said, which were earlier submitted by the state government for the Centre’s initiation.
The extension of rail links from Simalguri in Assam to Naginimora and Amguri to Tuli is also clearly on his list of agendas, he asserted. With regard to the rail head to Kohima, he said that it is seeing obstructions from the Assam side. “When it will be completed I cannot tell but I’ll be pressuring them (the Centre) from my side”, Chang said with assurance.
Queried on what relevant questions he will put up in the coming Parliament session, he replied that it will be on similar lines. The minutes of the questions cannot be disclosed now, he said. The MP will be leaving for New Delhi on July 7.
