EMN
Dimapur, September 6
Chief Minister TR Zeliang met Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju at North Block, New Delhi today and took up the border issue between Assam and Nagaland to settle the matter amicably. In the meeting, the Chief Minister requested Rijiju for early release of long pending outstanding reimbursement bills, particularly against the redeployment of IR Battalion to West Bengal amounting to Rs 90 crore. Zeliang suggested that since the West Bengal government has not paid even a single installment for the last more than four years , the MHA may direct the West Bengal government to make the payment to Nagaland at the earliest, as the deployment was done as per the directions of the MHA. He also said the MHA may deduct the pending dues at source and credit the same to Nagaland government out of the amount to be sanctioned to them in case they fail to pay their outstanding dues early.
The issue of the long pending outstanding bills by the MHA regarding 75% subsidy on helicopter services was also discussed. The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to personally intervene in the matter for early settlement of pending dues amounting to Rs 34.36 crore. The pending reimbursement issues relating to the construction of Central Paramilitary Force Accommodation (CPMFA) amounting to Rs 31.42 crore was also taken up during the time of discussion.
The Chief Minister stated that the same matter was also discussed with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. However, since Rijiju being from the North East and familiar with the financial problems of the region, he would take up the matter with the department concerned.
Rijiju assured the Chief Minister that he would see that all the pending SRE to the Nagaland government is released without further delay provided all the related documents are submitted by the State to the MHA. He also stated that his priority is to look after the problems and the welfare of the North East region.
In course of discussion, Rijiju called his officers and directed them to have further discussions with the officials accompanying the Chief Minister. The matter regarding the construction of five IR Battalions headquarters was also discussed. The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to expedite granting of onetime special grant for completion of IR Battalion HQs which are under construction.
The Chief Minister and State Home Minister Y Patton conveyed their appreciation to the Union Minister for his prompt action in releasing pending SRE amounting to Rs 40 crore and Rs 21 crore respectively to the State recently.
The Chief Minister was assisted during the discussion by Jyoti Kalash, Resident Commissioner, and Y Kikheto Sema, Secretary, Finance, government of Nagaland.
