Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb. 26 (EMN): In response to criticisms and queries related to his budget speech, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday asserted that every department under the state government has been provided with fund to carry out their respective activities.
He dismissed allegations from the opposition bench that it was an “entertainment budget, lacking in consistency, financial transparency and financial accountability.” The chief minister reasoned that the latest budget was no different from the previous governments’ but for the fact that “focus and thrust areas are different.”
Rio pointed out that as the programme and policies reflect the government’s priorities. As such, he told the opposition bench “to try not to impose your expectations and your priorities on us.” This, he pointed out again, does not mean that the government has other sectors.
Supplementary demand for grants
Refuting allegations of flaws in the supplementary demands for grants, Rio said that though the total supplementary amount proposed was INR 2154.20 cr., the actual net increase under various categories was INR 109.39 cr. only in RE 2018-19 over BE 2018-19. The seemingly huge difference of INR. 2044.81 cr., according to him, was because savings under one demand cannot be adjusted in another demand, because of which supplementary is required; savings in revenue section cannot be adjusted in capital section or vice-versa even within the same demand.
Naga Political issue
The chief minister iterated that the budget speech has dwelled on the political issue extensively and that no further elaboration is required. In fact, “we all agree that an early and honourable political solution is the need of the hour,” he said. With JLF being constituted, he was “confident that the unity among the people on the issue will send the right signal to all sections of the people.”
“Time and again, we have stated that unity across the Naga family is the one single factor, which will truly strengthen the peace process. It will strengthen the process and also ensure that Naga negotiating parties will derive strength and confidence to take the talks to its logical conclusion. We have maintained a consistent stand that we will facilitate the peace process and we support the cry of the people for a solution that is honourable and upholds the political rights of the Nagas in a just and democratic manner, and one that is inclusive and acceptable to the people,” Rio said.
“We must welcome the report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs which has recommended for early finalisation of the Naga Peace Accord. These are very positive developments and it shows that the Naga issue has struck the right chords in the national political scenario. The Naga political movement has travelled far and long, across several decades, there is no better time than now to bring it to its logical conclusion through a solution,” he added.
Rio appealed to the Naga people to uphold the spirit of unity and oneness in order to create an amiable atmosphere for the peace process. He appealed to the negotiators to “listen to the voice of the people.”
As for the B.Ed courses, it will take some time before the problem of getting qualified teachers is addressed satisfactorily, the chief minister said; and assured that the government will not leave the matter unattended, but try to put in place a workable arrangement.
Concerning the upgrade of Khelhoshe Polytechnic, Atoizu to an Engineering College, Rio assured that the government has raised the matter with the Fifteenth Finance Commission. It also requested for grant of INR 75 cr. for facilitating the upgrade of the Polytechnic institute to a full-fledged engineering college, he informed.
Rio pointed out that the budget allocation for the department of Under Developed Areas in 2018-19 was INR 21 crore. This time, he said, the amount has been increased to INR 23 cr.
“This is an increase of 9.5% over the previous year. The overall development budget had increased by 5% only. It is also clarified that during 2018-19 the central government had so far released an amount of INR 33.96 cr. under BADP. The total receipts during 2017-18 was INR 32.15 cr. We are estimating that receipts under this programme during 2019-20 will be about INR 42 cr.
“Despite budgetary constraints due to shortage of funds, it should be acknowledged that a reasonable amount has been earmarked under DUDA. Further, the benefits of all the other normal programmes being implemented by other departments are also flowing to the Eastern Nagaland areas. Let me say that the allocation under DUDA is not necessarily the true and only reflection of developmental activities in eastern Nagaland,” he said.
Rio pointed out that during 2012, the number of RD blocks in the state was increased from 52 to 74 to facilitate better administration and implementation of various schemes. “I doubt that we can increase this anymore at this stage.”
For opening banks in rural areas, he said that though the subject was not within the discretion of the state government, it has been pursuing actively for opening of bank branches in all the unbanked blocks, numbering 30 today.
“For this purpose, we have written to almost all the Chairpersons and Managing Directors of the Public Sector as well as Private Sector Banks, including to the Union Secretary of Financial Services of the government of India. Government of Nagaland had even offered to pay the rent for new bank branches being opened in the unbanked blocks for a period of 5 years. Over the years, we did manage to get some new branches opened.
“But it is a fact that there remain 30 unbanked blocks till today. The coverage of these blocks are in the exclusive domain of the banking fraternity. There are factors such as restrictions imposed by RBI for expansion of branches, absence of adequate infrastructure and facilities and lack of sufficient banking staff to man branches in the interior areas. However, it is assured that we will continue to pursue these issues with the Government of India so that necessary instructions will be issued to the banks to ensure that they accord priority to the coverage of unbanked blocks,” he said.
Responding to Vikheho Swu’s remark that pothole repair is not the solution to the poor condition of roads in Nagaland, the chief minister clarified that “we are carrying out repairs and constructions of good quality, something you are all experiencing yourselves as you commute, especially in Kohima and Dimapur.”
“But let it be understood properly – these are not pothole repairs. You all know the type of works being done. Let us talk honestly and not indulge in cheap talk. Let me also remind the hon’ble member (Swu) that he also held the charge of the Road sector, and had enough time to prove himself. We all know what happened or did not happen. Because of what was not done, we are compelled to repair the roads that are everywhere in a dismal condition. The previous government had the same opportunity and sufficient time to address this problem. The reasons why they chose not to do so is best known to them,” he said.
In conclusion, the chief minster assured to take note of all the suggestions and constructive inputs. “The government will be closely studying these inputs, grievances and suggestions and we will take up measures to follow up in a positive manner,” Rio said
Despite the shortcomings, he assured to bringing positive change in the state. Rio felt that the “negative mindsets” need to be changed. “A new Nagaland with positive change will happen when we all join hands and collectively face the challenges as ‘team Nagaland,’” he said.
