Naga pol issue continues to dominate Assembly session

Chief Minister TR Zeliang cautions against speculations

Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, MARCH 18

Discussion on the protracted Naga political issue continued to dominate the ongoing budget session in Kohima on Friday. Members shared different opinions and concerns on the developments towards the settlement of the Naga political problem.
Parliamentary secretary for Tourism, C Apok Jamir pointed out that there seem to be a lot of misgivings when people are talking about the August 3 “framework agreement” which was signed between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM), and there are many different interpretations of the phrase. Participating in the general discussion on the budget for the year 2016-17 which was presented in the House on Thursday by the Chief Minister, Jamir said though the content of the “framework agreement” on Naga political issue has not yet come to the public domain, it is believed that the leaderships who are part of the negotiations had already taken into consideration of the people concerned.
He also emphasized the need to recognise certain political imparity while this negotiation is going on. We also need to recognize that the Government of India will not allow the disintegration of the country but they will make sure that every interest is also looked into, he stated, adding that political interest of either side could be encountered and this will be a challenge which we need to address as a forum and ensure that the interest of the people is not compromised.
Jamir also mentioned that the present state government has, under the leadership of the Chief Minister TR Zeliang, the distinction of having formed a unique “all party government” with a common vision and this government has also witnessed the signing of the landmark “framework agreement”, the phasing out of the 13th Finance Commission which is considered as unfriendly to the functioning of the Nagaland government, introduction of a “more practical and more friendly” 14th Finance Commission as well as the introduction of the NITI Aayog, which pose as a challenge for all.
Amidst these landmark developments, he said, the Nagas are in a situation where the younger generations who have a different mindset and whose way of looking at the politics of today is quite different from what the predecessors may have visualized or interpreted 50 years back. He said that it is important to take note that today’s generations are very enlightened and educated, and with the advancement of science and technology, the concept of their way of looking at things has become different. He expressed the need for all to keep pace with the changes that are taking place.
On the financial aspect, he observed that the state starting a new financial year with the NITI Aayog and a new plan process, is not just a big challenge but an opportunity for the people to come up with how they can best plan to take the state forward. With this opportunity, he stated, the responsibility lies with the state government and a strict fiscal discipline and planning is the need of the hour. He hoped that the government’s commitment will be “state first, and self second”, and if this spirit is followed, the NITI Aayog which the people are experimenting for the first time will be a blessing for all.
Earlier, opening the discussion, MLA P Pohwang Konyak expressed concern over the division in people’s mindset. Stating that all the political pioneers had equally contributed towards bringing solution to the Naga political issue, he was of the view that everyone should be brought together to the negotiating table before any agreement is made. Towards this, he urged the august House to step forward and form a committee to approach SS Khaplang and his group to come back to the mainstream of ceasefire agreement.
Minster for School Education and SCERT, Yitachu who also participated in the budget discussion said the “opposition-less government” will go into the binding rule of the country and bring development to the state in the interest of the people and also play a vital role to bring a solution to the Naga political issue.
Expressing concern on the figures in the Chief Minister’s budget speech which stated that Nagaland has 72,415 educated unemployed in the Live Register seeking for jobs, many of whom are certified professionals, Yitachu appealed to the members to take concrete steps to solve the unemployment problem in the state. He also expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for the improvements made in the budget 2016-2017.
Minister for Rural Development & REPA, CL John also echoed similar sentiments and particularly expressed appreciation to the Chief Minister on the decision to declare the current year as the ‘Year of Construction Workers’ with focus on encouraging the youth to take up construction work as a profession, which was earlier shunned.
Parliamentary secretary Hukavi Zhimomi also participated in the discussion.
CM cautions against
speculations
Meanwhile, Chief Minister TR Zeliang said Nagas are at a critical juncture of their political struggle and the state government has no intention to undermine the efforts of any group but desire that the broad-based consultation process will encompass all the political groups.
“But as we have been saying, the dialogue is between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM), in which we have no direct role… We can only continue to be a facilitator to the talks and the final agreement that may follow,” Zeliang said.
On the various speculations doing the rounds on the outcome of the ongoing talks between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM), the Chief Minister said speculations can be endless and unproductive as well as risky. He said that while others may speculate, the members of the House should avoid making any forecasts without knowing the real inside story. He also asked them not to be influenced by any kind of wrong speculation without proof or evidence.
“None of us can tell with certainty at this juncture what is going to be put into place, but we are all looking forward to a peaceful and lasting solution that will encompass all the Naga political groups, an agreement that is honourable and acceptable to all,” he asserted, adding that towards this, the members are pressing the Interlocutor to consult all the Naga groups before modalities are finalized.
Zeliang also stressed that if any arrangement is made, it would be done in the form of a constitutional amendment which will be placed before the Parliament for thorough debate and discussions, therefore, he stated talking of who will be what in a possible interim government at this juncture is premature.
On the budget for 2016-17 which he presented in the House on the previous day with Rs.3924 crores projected Annual Plan Outlay, the Chief Minister stated that significant developments have taken place after many years of deficit. He attributed the positive developments as a sign of a turn-around that will bring the state back to the path of progress and development, which had been badly affected for the past several years.
While replying to members who participated in the budget discussion, Zeliang further appealed to all the administrative heads and heads of departmentts to be truthful while preparing Non Plan expenditure as there is now no more boundary between Plan and Non Plan since the introduction of the new planning process.
He assured the members that all the issues raised during the debates and discussions will be examined for appropriate actions. For issues concerning specific departments, he asked the respective members to look into them and consider the suggestions so that the government’s activities are made more responsive and relevant to the needs of the people.

State Assembly passes NBTC Bill 2016

The Nagaland Backward Tribes Commission (NBTC) Bill, 2016 which was introduced by Chief Minister TR Zeliang at the ongoing 11th session of the 12th Assembly yesterday got passed in the House today.
The bill seeks to establish a Commission for Backward Tribes in the state to safeguard the backward tribes of the state, and make recommendations on educational, employment and health aspects, with special focus on the six backward tribes- Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Sangtam and Yimchungru- belonging to Longleng, Kiphire, Mon and Tuensang districts.
Before the bill was passed, parliamentary secretary for Higher Education Deo Nukhu sought clarification why the bill is confined to the six mentioned tribes while there are other recognized backward tribes in different pockets of the state including in Peren and Phek districts as well as in Aghunato and Bhandari areas. He pointed out that it would be fair if all the backwards tribes be covered under the Commission. Stating that special coverage given to only a specific group of people in the state is not justified, he felt the bill should be comprehensive covering all the backward tribes in the state.
Also, MLA CM Chang suggested correction of some words in the content of the bill, and also sought clarification in the term of appointment and tenure of the NBTC chairman and members.
Clarifying the queries made by the members, Chief Minister Zeliang said the constitution of a Commission for the Backward Tribe was based on a memo submitted by the ENSF, with a special request made to the government mainly for reservation quota in line with employment reservation policy. Zeliang said that the Commission will cover all the backward tribes of the state and not just some specific tribes of some particular districts. On the term of appointment of NBTC chairman and members, the Chief Minister said the formula was worked out in line with that of the Nagaland Public Service Commission members.
Later, the Chief Minister moved that the bill be taken into consideration and was subsequently passed in the House.
The other highlights of the day’s sitting included laying of Nagaland Economic Survey 2015-16 by parliamentary secretary R Tohanba, voting on Supplementary Demand for Grants for the year 2015-16, passing of the Nagaland Appropriation (No.1) Bill 2016, passing of the Nagaland Prohibition of Gambling and Promotion and Regulation of Online Games of Skill Bill 2015, and laying of Annual Administrative Reports (2015-16) of various departments, presentation of Assembly Committee Reports by Chairman of Committee on Public Undertaking Kuzholuzo Nienu, tabling of 115th Report, 116th Report and 117th Report of the Committee on Public Accounts 2015-2016 by Kiyanilie Peseyie.