Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 5
A delegation of the 14th Finance Commission (FFC) led by Chairman Dr Y V Reddy are currently in Nagaland to study the performance of the state with regard to the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission (TFC) and also make its recommendations as per the norms of the Constitution.The delegation arrived in the state capital on Friday and held a marathon closed door meeting with the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his cabinet colleagues in the State Secretariat on Saturday. Briefing media persons on the outcome of the meeting, Rio said that during the meeting he submitted a memorandum to the Commission concerning the financial aspects of the state and other infrastructure development requirements.
The government of Nagaland through the memorandum has sought for consideration of an amount of Rs. 1494.97 crore for 25 state government departments by the FFC. He said Nagaland would be celebrating 50 years of statehood from December 1, 2013 without the basic infrastructure like an airport in Kohima, dilapidated road conditions, and without any technical or medical institutions.
Rio, however, expressed the hope that the 14th Finance Commission has understood the problems of the state and they would give special dispensation. Rio said that the FFC was also briefed about 16-point Agreement with the Government of India for giving statehood to Nagaland and the under the Article 371 (A) of the Constitution under the Union Ministry of External Affairs, which was enjoying the state since its statehood 1st of December, 1963.
But, the Union Government, of its own, changed the funding pattern from 1989 and brought the state under the Union Home Ministry, since then Nagaland is facing severe financial crisis. He also informed that the state government had to sacrifice developmental funds so that money would be availed for payment of salaries of the state government employees.
“We have dwelt on the 16th point agreement which led to inserting in the constitution of India the Article 371 (A), and think they cannot ignore the Constitution nor the Agreement that is been signed between the Government of India and the Naga People Convention. So I hope they will give a special consideration,” he said.
He said that the FFC Chairman Reddy in his remark expressed happiness to have learnt more about the state and the historical aspect which led to recognition of the uniqueness of the Nagas and the special category status through the power point presentation and the memorandum during the meeting.
Rio also said that the Commission has assured to give a considered view to the Government of India in their recommendations. He said they have understood the position of Nagaland as the Chairman himself said it is the duty of the Commission to rectify the mistakes committed in the past and take corrective measures. He further said that being a resource crunch state, the FFC should come to the rescue of the state as the recommendations of the TFC pushed back the tempo of state.
It is learnt that during the power-point presentation Chief Secretary Alemtemshi Jamir focused on various developmental activities in the state, despite meager resources while also capably making the commission realize various under-developed areas of the state without adequate infrastructure, which could not be taken up due fund constraint and the state is urgently required adequate infrastructure for all round development. After the meeting with CM, the FFC Members, braving inclement weather condition, left for the legendary Khonoma village.
