No parliamentary secretaries in PDA government – Rio

Kohima Bureau
Kohima, March 8 (EMN): In his first press conference as the chief minister of the PDA government, Neiphiu Rio put an end to speculations surrounding the post of parliamentary secretaries by announcing that his government will feature no such posts.
“As per the Tenth Schedule, the law clearly states that the posts of parliamentary secretaries cannot be there. And therefore, we don’t intend to go against the law,” Rio told reporters after the first cabinet meeting held at Nagaland Secretariat in Kohima on March 8.
He, however, informed that discussions are on to devise a method/mechanism to accommodate the elected members, adding that they are also having consultation with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Rio said that Nagaland as a small state has been affected by the downsizing of ministry. He said that Nagaland is a tribal state which makes it difficult to run a government if all tribes are not accommodated. Rio also reiterated that the Naga political issue will remain as the top-most agenda for his government.
“The People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government also appeals to other Naga Political Groups (NPGs) who are not part of the negotiations to join in the political talks which are currently underway,” Rio said referring to the resolution of the first cabinet meeting held today.
He also assured to involve the Naga Political Wing Affairs Committee to pursue the interest of the Nagas. He expressed happiness that the ongoing talks between the government of India and the Naga groups are making good progress.
Rio also assured that the PDA government will provide stability and transparency in order to ensure good governance during this tenure.
‘No definite timeline for solution’
Asked about the veracity of the claim made by Governor PB Acharya to bring solution to the Naga issue within six months, Rio said that he has “no idea” about it.
He also denied that there is no such understanding till date, maintaining that “nobody can definitely say as to when a solution will arrive.”
Clarifying his comments on Naga solution which went viral, Rio denied making such statements.

Ban on nameplates in vehicles
Within hours of the swearing-in ceremony, the cabinet had a meeting and passed a notification banning use of names/designation plates by any government employee.
The new cabinet directive prohibits even ministers and elected members from using ‘name or designation plates’. The anti-VIP culture stand is one of the features of NDPP manifesto through which the party seeks to oppose any action or symbol that promotes VIP culture in Naga society.
As per its manifesto, the party has resolved that no functionary of the party will use any sign of VIP culture including use of designation plates and name-plates. And this policy will begin in a top-down approach.
In order to avoid inconvenience to ministers and MLAs, it was informed that an appropriate colour coded car sticker will be provided to facilitate their movements across the state.
Accordingly, all government officials, functionaries have been directed to not display their designations on their vehicles. Violators of this rule would face action under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988.
As per the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 and Central Motor Vehicles Act 1989, nothing except the registration number of the vehicle should be displayed on the number plates of the vehicles and those violating this rule are liable to face punishment.
Further, the cabinet has also decided that there will be new regulation in the use of security escorts and pilots within Kohima and Dimapur.
Except for the governor, chief minister, deputy chief minister, NLA Speaker and deputy speaker, no other functionaries of the government will use security escorts and pilots within Kohima and Dimapur. It informed that security surveillance in the state capital and Dimapur would be enhanced and improved so that ministers and other functionaries do not have the need to use escorts and pilots within city limits.

IG Stadium to be renamed after T Ao
The cabinet has decided to rename the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima as T Ao Stadium in memory of the first Naga Olympian, to coincide with the centenary year of the sporting legend.
This decision was taken during the first cabinet of the PDA government. The cabinet further decided that a new Nagaland state sports policy would be announced within 100 days, while a new insurance scheme for students studying outside Nagaland would also be launched within 100 days.
To provide a stable government to the people of the state, the cabinet also decided that periodical appraisals and assessments of all the departments, including performance of ministers will take place regularly.
The cabinet will put in place specific targets and deadlines for achievement or programmes and policies and completion of projects. Targets for 100 days, six months and one year will be made public, it informed.
It also resolved to give a deadline to all departments to link all government employees and beneficiaries of government funds, pensions, etc, to Aadhaar-based biometric system to ensure transparency and good governance.
All government directorates and secretariat will be covered by Aadhaar-enabled biometric attendance system within 100 days. Similarly, an appropriate system will be devised for ensuring attendance in all the district offices.

Repair and renovation of roads within 60 days
The cabinet decided to repair and renovate the roads and fill up potholes in the state capital, the commercial hub of Dimapur and all the district headquarters within 60 days.
It approved to put in place a comprehensive masterplan for maintenance of all major roads where citizens can monitor and give feedbacks on progress of works and quality control using information technology.
The cabinet further decided to formulate a new civil aviation policy to provide air connectivity to remote locations including air ambulance within six months. For this, a committee would be set up to submit its report within two months. It has also decided that all ministers and elected members will be required to declare their assets and also of their spouses and dependents within 100 days.