Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 18
The first day of the 2nd session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) began here today. It witnessed obituary references, question hour, introduction of government bill, laying of reports/rules, annual administrative reports and presentation of assembly committee reports.
Opposition leader TR Zeliang highlighted the slackness of the Assembly Secretariat in reaching the Opposition MLAs with the proceeding report of the last Assembly session and also the starred question papers for this session.
He pointed out that as per the laid down rules, the proceeding report of the last Assembly should be handed over to the MLAs within six months but it has not been done.
He also lamented that the Opposition MLAs were not given the starred questions to be taken up in Tuesday’s business, which should have reached them only yesterday. “We got the question papers only late night after 9:40 pm, whereas the rules say that it should reach by evening,” he said.
Zeliang therefore requested the Speaker to remind the Assembly Secretariat to fulfill the laid down rules and such slackness should not be repeated.
Responding to the grievances of Opposition bench, NLA Speaker Vikho-o Yhoshü said “the Assembly Secretariat is going by the rules, and lapses, if any, would be corrected.”
Meanwhile, on request made by TR Zeliang regarding the status of agreement with Civil Engineers Enterprise Pvt. Ltd (CEEPL), North East Handloom & Handicraft and Hind Xerox which figured in today’s starred question, Yhoshü informed that half an hour discussion on the related matter will take place on September 20.
Ozukum on road repair works
Minister NPWD Tongpang Ozukum told the floor of the House that the State has a total of 1110 km major district roads out of which the department has prioritized 116.455 km of road for immediate repair.
Replying to MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu, he said that till date 70.801 km of road have been covered while remaining 45.654 km would be taken up after the monsoon season.
He said that the department has been allocated Rs. 50 crore for the repair of major roads but the government released Rs. 25 crore in the first phase with which work was executed departmentally.
He also informed the House that the government recently released the second installment of Rs. 25 crore and the amount would be utilised to execute works for the remaining 45.654 km of prioritized roads after the monsoon season.
When asked whether there was a master plan for maintenance of all major roads, he said that the Department is in the process of bringing out a comprehensive road policy which has already constituted the road maintenance task force.
On a supplementary question raised by MLA, Y Vikheho Swu, whether the road repair is only for district HQ roads or even for other PWD divisions, Ozukum said that presently the focus is on district HQ roads.
No progress in revival of Tuli paper mill: Rio
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio who is also in-charge of Industries & Commerce Department today informed that as of date, there is no progress in the revival of Tuli Paper Mill.
Replying to MLA, Dr. Imtiwapang Aier, in starred question, Rio informed that Department of Heavy Industries (DHI) Secretary convened a meeting on March 21 this year to decide on the future course of action on Nagaland Pulp & Paper Company Ltd (NPPC). The decision was that a cabinet committee of economic affairs note for closure of NPPC be prepared expeditiously by the DHI.
Then on May 14, NITI Aayog convened a meeting with Hindustan Paper Corporation (HPC), DHI and Chief Secretary Nagaland.
Rio informed that the first phase of revival process started with the production of bamboo chips, with the release of Rs. 100 crore on September 19, 2013, to HPC by the Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, DHI. He stated that the state has also provided its equity share amounting to Rs. 23 crore in two installments (Rs. 12 crore in 2014-15 and Rs. 11 crore in 2015-16).
Out of the Rs. 100 crore sanctioned for the NPPCL, Rs. 60 crore was diverted by the HPC and the Government of Nagaland had to infuse a loan of Rs. 1.20 crore for payment of salaries to prevent serious law and order situation, Rio informed the House adding that payment of salaries & wages is pending since July 2017.
Rio stated that in connection to the diversion of fund by HPC and revival and rehabilitation of NPPC, numerous letters have been issued by the Chief Minister of Nagaland to the Government of India.
Rs. 4,69,24,536.83 relief under CMRF
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today informed that relief received from individuals, NGOs under Chief Minister’s Relief Fund as on September 14 stands at Rs. 4,69,24,536.83 (Rupees four crore, sixty nine lakh, twenty four thousand, five hundred thirty six and eighty three paise only).
Replying to MLA Muthingnyuba Sangtam, Rio informed that the amount received on contribution from individuals/NGOs are under hectic operations for relief/rehabilitation/ex-gratia to the affected families and to meet the critical gaps not covered under NDRF sanctions.
On being asked details of about 4000 people who were affected by natural calamity, Rio informed that detailed list of affected persons are under compilation by respective districts and consolidated final list is yet to be received.
“However it may be noted that affected population is much more than 4000 since whole of Kiphire district, several administrative sub-divisions in all the 11 districts have been severely affected,” Rio stated in a written reply. Rio also stated that no funds have been received from the central or state government for the recent calamity damages.
