Nagaland: General discussion on budget highlights NLTP Act, Naga political issue
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 24
MLA Dr Chumben Murry today expressed concern over the stance of Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act on the last day of the 11th session of 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Joining the general discussion on the budget for the year 2022-2023, Dr Murry said that he don't actually understand the stand of the Churches in opposing the any move of the government to amend this infamous Act.
As the Government of the day, we should stand firmly on the ground reality that NLTP Act has been more deleterious than being beneficial for the people and amend the act, he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Murry made a suggestion to the government of the day mull on introduction of our own Religion and Marriage Act and “our own Civil Code to protect our religious and social ways of life as enshrined in Article 371A;(1);(a); (i), so that the Central Laws on these matters do not overshadow our own ways of life.”
He said that Article 371(A) was a necessary extraneous insinuation into the Constitution of India because of our unique predisposition and we must strongly protect our uniqueness because there are many central laws that should not be applicable to Naga ways of life based on this Article.
Dr Murry also stressed on the need to relook into the appointment criteria for Goan Buras and Tobashis.
Gaon Buras should be at least certificate holders and Tobashis, diploma holders in their respective customary law and usages, he said.
He suggested that the government of the day may look into areas where and how such certificates and diplomas can be obtained and under what authority and work out modalities.
He termed the introduction of Chief Minister's Health Insurance scheme as “people friendly scheme.”
He was hopeful that this scheme would save a lot of lives.
Also, the insurance scheme will be a big respite for those Nagas do not have the habit of investing for future health problems, he said.
Call for creation of Pughoboto district on need-based
MLA V Vikheho Swu called for creation of Pughoboto district on need- based. He said that when Nagaland state came into being, “we (Pughoboto) were 23 years under Kohima district and 26 years now under Zunheboto district.
He said that Pughoboto is one of the oldest sub- division in Nagaland and the largest block in the district.
He said that “we have been living peacefully with our neighboring tribes Angami, Chakhesang, Lotha, Rengma and from time immemorial we don't have much border disputes.”
He said that districts as of now should be given on need- based so that “we can be brought at par with the rest of Nagas.’ There should not be any backward or forward but we should try and bring Nagas to one level. If we have to give district, we have to look at need-based and not on tribe lines. In this, Swu requested Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to look into the matter.
He termed the budget as "Progressive and Forward Looking Budget."
He also urged the government of the day to improve in the areas of infrastructure development, Human Resource Development, Capacity Building, and strongly emphasised on the importance of making music and sports as one of the most important activities. He also stressed on the need to reach out music education in the rural areas and also appoint badminton coaches in all the districts.
Chief Minister's Micro Finance Initiative
Planning & Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs minister Neiba Kronu described the budget 2022-2023 as the best ever budget presented.
On introduction of welfare schemes like Chief Minister's Micro Finance Initiative, he said this will facilitate credit flow to the hard working farmers and entrepreneurs.
He said that this scheme will engage with the bank and persons who want to start business can start working with the bank. The scheme will make credit more affordable and available to individuals, Self- Help Groups and Farmer Producer Organisations.
In this, the government will provide for either subsidy or interest subvention against identified activities, he said. He also said that allocating Rs. 2 crore for the Forest Department for plantation of fruits and trees of economic importance was a good initiative since our environment could be further protected.
Referring to the clearance of various power project in the state, he said “we have to go ahead for generation of power.”
Lack of math, science teachers
MLA Dr Chotisuh Sazo highlighted on shortfall of teachers, particularly science, mathematics and Hindi teachers, in government schools in the state.
He urged the government to address the same at the earliest.
He stated that many of the people, especially people from the economically weaker section, depend on Government schools. While appreciating the recruitment advertisement for teachers, he called for more recruitments in the coming days.
Dr Sazo urged the government to give more funds so as to mitigate the poor harvest due to irregular rainfall last year, adding that 80% of the state's population depends on agri& allied sector.
Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Evaluation and Economics and Statistics advisor L Khumo hoped that the programmes & schemes planned are taken up properly. He also called for more measures for improvement in the finance of the State.
MLA CL John called for the proper and judicious utilisation of the funds allotted to different departments so that everyone will benefit equally from the innovative initiatives undertaken by the government.
MLA Imkong L Imchen stated that the ministers and advisors in charge of the various departments should discharge their duties and make sure that the funds allotted to the department in the budget are used judiciously.
He also congratulated the Chef Minister for yielding a positive balance of Rs 150.30 crore in the current transaction.
Settlement of Naga political issue occupies top most priority of govt
Housing & Mechanical Minister Tongpang Ozukum, said that settlement of the Naga Political issue occupies the top most priority for the ruling UDA government.
He said that the 60 elected members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly who are mandated representatives of the people are genuinely concerned and serious about pushing towards an amicable and acceptable conclusion to the long pending Naga Political issue.
He said that no one should doubt or question the role of the legislators as facilitators.
Ozukum also commended the Department Of Power for the marked improvement in revenue collection owing to the introduction of the pre-paid meters in certain municipalities.
MLA Yitachu pointed areas like airport, railways and inland waterways which needed to be incorporated in the budget.
He also emphasized on the importance and promotion of International Trade Centres in border areas as it will give gainful employment to unemployed educated youths.
He also stressed on the need to expedite the process of medical college in the state.
Yitachu said that Nagaland without medical college is being more than embarrassing “because we are the 16 states and we do not have a single medical college.”
He said all over the country, every state, every union territory have medical college and today only Nagaland is left out, he said.
He appreciated that the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in his budget speech on March 22 that that the government had constituted an autonomous society for the new medical college at Kohima and it announced to strive to ensure that admission for the college commence from the academic session 2023-24.
On PMGSY, he urged the concerned department to effectively implement the program and expedite the work progress as good roads will give immense benefits to the people in rural areas.
On Foothill road, he is of the view that the Trans- Eastern Highway should not limit within the state of Nagaland instead it should be extended to all parts of the state bordering other states or countries.
PHED minister Jacob Zhimomi lauded Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for presenting a surplus budget.
He said the budget was well distributed to all the departments despite the limited budget.
Zhimomi expressed appreciation over the Chief Minister's Micro Finance Initiative with an objective to give impetus to the aspiring entrepreneurs by way of facilitating them to avail credit, and the SARFAESI Act being made feasible as per the need so as to give gainful employment to young entrepreneurs venture into profitable businesses.
Liquidity is the most difficult aspect for an educated unemployed youth though we have land, he added.
Zhimomi also thanked the leader of the house for incorporation of medical coverage in respect of Chief Minister's Health Insurance scheme, which showed the health concerns of our citizens.
On Agri& Allied sector, he said our economy is derived from agriculture due to which we must find a way for our farmers to sell their produce so that they will have the better avenues and yield maximum results out of it.
In this, he stressed on the need to revive the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) in the state so as to enable the people to get maximum benefit for it.
Prisons, Printing & Stationery advisor H. Haying described the budget 2022-2023 as practical and visionary.
