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29 march 2023

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Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXXIII No. 111

DIMAPUR, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023 Pages 12 ` 5.00

39 dead in fire at Mexico migrant centre INTERNATIONAL, PAGE 9

Match officiating centre inaugurated at SCG

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SPORTS, PAGE 12

Nagaland Assembly passes 14th NLA repeals Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 `23,086 cr budget for 2023-24

Correspondent

KO H I M A , M A R 2 8 (NPN): In a major political development having far reaching implications legally and politically, the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Tuesday, unanimously resolved to repeal the Nagaland Municipal Act (NMA) 2001 “in toto” after a thorough discussion by members on the last day of the first session of the 14th NLA. This means the notification announced for holding polls to ULBs in Nagaland will be placed on the backburner for a prolonged period as law makers amend clauses in the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001. NMA 2001 was enacted for demarcation of jurisdictions of municipal and town councils. It was amended in 2006 under 74th amendment to include 33% women reservation. Then in 2016 it was amended to include tax on land and

ULB POLLS TO BE POSTPONED INDEFINITELY TILL NEW ACT IS FRAMED buildings in municipal areas. Minister, power and parliamentary affairs, KG Kenye initiated the discussion under matters of urgent public importance pertaining to the Urban Local Bodies and supported by Namri Nchang, MLA and seconded by Advisor, Kropol Vitsu. The resolution adopted by the House was for the NMA 2001 to be taken up for repeal in toto with immediate effect, and that in order to govern the Urban Local Bodies (ULB), a law be enacted expeditiously which would take into con-

sideration once and for all, the grievances of all the interested parties so that elections could be conducted in accordance with the law. (Resolution on p-6) After through deliberation, the house deemed that the Urban Local Bodies election cannot be conducted unless the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 was repealed. The House also took note of the stiff opposition to the ULB elections by tribe bodies, civil society organizations and every section of the society against the implementation of the NMA

2001 which was deemed to be have “been fraught with much controversy to the spirit of Article 371A.” Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio under whose watch the first municipal elections took place in 2004 and also the series of events leading to the issue being taken to the Supreme Court narrated the history while taking part in the discussion. Rio said he felt an enormous sense of responsibility in considering the eventful history that was associated with the issue and the way the subject had evoked intense reaction from the tribe bodies, CSOs and the people of the state on how it had been claimed that the clauses infringed upon and were in contravention to Article 371A. Recalling the series of events that had taken place in the past, Rio said the State Government, enacted the NMA 2001 while Article 243T, in Part IXA

of the Constitution, was inserted by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 which provided that a minimum of one-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct elections in every Municipality to be reserved for women. The seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a Municipality. He pointed out that the Nagaland Municipal (First Amendment) Act-2006 by insertion of S-23 A and S-23 B in terms of Article 243 I of the Constitution of India and subsequently, in the year 2008, Mokokchung Municipal Council was selected as the first ULB in the State for holding elections in accordance with the provisions providing for 33% reservation of seats for women. However, elections had to be called off due to massive opposition to the provisions providing 33% reservation of seats in the ULBs, he said. (Cont’d on p-9)

Finance department Medical dealers shut shops to protest member’s arrest clarifies on budget D I M A P U R , M A R 2 8 demands were met. Circular dated September ity and not otherwise.

DIMAPUR, MAR 28 (NPN): Drawing attention to the news reports published in the local dailies relating to the closing deficit budget mentioned as Rs. 1374.17 crore for the financial year 2023-24, the department has clarified that this was the accumulated deficit. It said that for the year 202324, for which the budget was presented by the chief minister, the deficit was Rs. 40 crore. Further, due to the releases of CSS backlog and Civil Deposits during 202223, the accumulated deficit has been reduced from Rs. 2212.74 crore to Rs. 1334.17 crore. This represents a huge reduction of deficit by Rs. 878.57 crore, the department stated.

(NPN): Nagaland Medicine Dealers Association (NMDA) on Tuesday announced that all medical dealers under the association have decided to close their shops in protest against the “unlawful arrest” of its member on March 27, 2023 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. NMDA joint secretary (in-charge media cell) Arijit Sharma stated that the association at its general meeting held on March 28, 2023 resolved that the shops of medical dealers would remain closed till its

The association has demanded that strict action be taken against the persons who initiated action against its member in violation of procedure prescribed by law. Strongly condemning the arrest of its member, NMDA pointed out that the manufacture, sale or distribution of drugs and/ or cosmetics in Nagaland was regulated by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. It also pointed out that the state health and family welfare department through a notification dated February 3, 2023, superseding

17, 2012, issued clear terms and conditions in relation to the purchase and sale of all restricted pharmaceutical products by wholesalers and retailers within Nagaland. According to NMDA, the said notification clearly states that “all actions for violation of the same are to be taken under the provisions of the Act of 1940 along with the Rules made there under.” Further, the association stated that as per the notification all raids and seizures were to be done only by, or in the presence of the drug control author-

NMDA has, therefore, urged the law enforcement authorities to follow the procedure under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Meanwhile, NMDA has appealed to the All India Organization of Chemist and Druggist and its Northeast Office to intervene in the matter. It also urged the Indian Medical Association, DCCI, Chamber of Commerce Chümoukedima, Naga Council Dimapur, Nagaland Pharmacist Council and all members of the medical fraternity to speak out against the “unlawful detention” of its member.

Correspondent

KO H I M A , M A R 2 8 (NPN): Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Tuesday passed the Rs 23,086.66 crore budget for the financial year 2023-24 on the last day of the first session of 14th NLA by a voice vote. The budget, with an estimated deficit of Rs 1,374.17 crore, was presented in the House on Monday by chief minister Neiphiu Rio, who also hold the Finance portfolio. None of the members had put any cut motions to the demand for grants made in the budget. The budget was passed by voice vote to the Nagaland Appropriation (No. 2) Bill, 2023 moved by Rio. The Bill authorised payment and appropriation of the amount from and out of the consolidated fund of the State to services of the year ending March 31, 2024. The House also passed the supplementary demands for g rants for 2022-23 amounting to Rs 1,852.98 crore through the Nagaland Appropriation (No. 1) Bill, 2023, which was also presented by Rio. The MLAs did not put up any cut motions on this demand too. Meanwhile, responding to the discussion on the budget, the chief minister claimed that the State’s finances had shown substantive improvement in the last few years, noting that despite the damage to the economy caused by Covid-19 pandemic, the Budget of 2022-23 showed a positive balance of Rs 150.30 crore in the Current Account transactions. Even in the budget for the year 2023-24, he pointed

PAN-Aadhaar linking Prices of essential medicines Rengma Hoho resolves deadline extended to rise by 12% from April 1 to boycott ULB elections

NEW DELHI, MAR 28 (IANS): In order to provide some more time to taxpayers, the date for linking PAN with Aadhaar has been extended to June 30. The earlier deadline was March 31.According to a notification issued by the Income Tax Department on Tuesday, till June 30, people can intimate their Aadhaar to the prescribed authority for PAN-Aadhaar linking without facing repercussions. However from July 1, the unlinked PAN will become inoperative with consequences. PAN though, can be made operative again in 30 days, upon intimation of Aadhaar to the prescribed authority after payment of a Rs 1,000 fee.

This is it!

“Now with rains, we and not the civic body will be doing full time work to clear and clean the muck.” K Y M C

List includes painkillers, antibiotics, cardiac drugs NEW DELHI, MAR 28 (AGENCIES): In another inflation-related setback, several essential medicines are set to become costlier from April. These include drugs like antibiotics, anti-infectives, painkillers and cardiac medicine. The prices of 384 molecules corresponding to approximately 900 formulations ranging in 27 therapies is expected to rise by 12 percent from next month. Medicine companies are set to be permitted to hike prices according to the annual Wholesale

Price Index (WPI) change. The change in WPI index comes out to 12.12 percent in the year 2022, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) said on Monday as per a Times of India report. The drug molecules that are set to become costlier are termed scheduled drugs and come under the national list of essential medicines. The NPPA regulates the prices of these essential medicines. On the other hand, an annual hike of 10 percent is permitted in the prices of non-scheduled drugs. The ceiling prices of the scheduled medicines will be notified in the coming days, TOI reported citing sources.

DIMAPUR, MAR 28 (NPN): All stakeholders and intending candidates in Tseminyu district will abide by the decision of Rengma Hoho (RH) and its frontal organisations not to participate and restrain themselves from filing nomination for urban local body (ULB) elections until the demand of tribal hohos were met. Informing this in a press note, RH president Pollem Tep and general secretary Sinhilo Thongseb, the decision was made at an emergency consultation meeting of RH and its frontal organisations with all Tseminyu town ward GBs and intending candidates of ULB election at Riga Thong Memorial Conference Hall, Rengma Hoho office, Tseminyu town on Tuesday. The meeting also resolved to appeal all citizens to continue their unflinching support and cooperation in safeguarding and protecting the rights and aspirations of Naga people, besides discussing the outcome of March 27 Nagaland Tribal Hohos meeting at Kohima.

Rio giving his concluding remarks on the discussion on the budget. (DIPR)

out that there was a positive balance of Rs 60 crore in the Current Account transactions only due to high withdrawals in GPF the current transactions show a minus balance of Rs 40 crore. He disclosed that the State government was working to undertake a rationalisation exercise to address the issue of shortages of teachers in government schools. He clarified that externallyaided project NECTAR, the Lighthouse Project, funded by World Bank under the School Education Department was mainly for governance and management of school’s ecosystem and that there was no scope for appointment of teachers under this. Noting that many schools faced teacher shortages due to absenteeism, he said the issue would be addressed through the introduction of Teacher Attendance Monitoring App during the current year. On the request of legislator Kuzholuzo Nienu to change the designation of advisers to ministers of state to enable them to take the re-

sponsibility of departments, Rio mentioned that the issue needed to be discussed and that it was beyond the State’s purview since the court had already struck down the nomenclature parliamentary secretary. For a small State like Nagaland, he pointed out that the council of ministers was limited to chief minister and 11 other ministers. Nonetheless, he explained that advisers were accommodated to have representation from all tribes in the government.“It will have to be examined from a legal perspective to ascertain whether such a move is possible. We have to remember that there is the issue of ‘Office of Profit’ that may invite disqualification if we are not careful,” he cautioned. Rio admitted to have omitted JDU in his speech vis-à-vis the support extended by all political parties to the government. “This is due to an inadvertent omission which is sincerely regretted. I request that this may be corrected in the records,” he remarked. (Cont’d on p-8)

1st session of 14th NLA adjourned sine die After five days of successful session, Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker Sharingain Longkumer adjourned sine die the first session of 14th NLA on March 28, 2023.

Oil exploration: NSF urges govt not to take any hasty decision DIMAPUR, MAR 28 (NPN): One day after the state chief minister announced that the state government intends to begin exploration and extraction in the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) once the tripartite MoU with Government of India, Nagaland and Assam was signed, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has urged the state government to “take a step back” and not take any hasty decision on the matter. In a press release, NSF president Kegwayhun Tep stated that the state government was “in a hurry” to sign the tripartite MoU conceding to the proposal of Assam regarding equal sharing of proceeds on oil and gas from A, B & C of the Disturbed Area Belt (DAB) and that the proceeds from D, E & F may be kept in an escrow account pending settlement between the two states. The

federation has questioned as to why the state government should share royalty with any other states for any resources whose extraction exercise was carried out solely in the areas being administered by the state government of Nagaland. NSF stated that illegal extraction by the neighbouring state was leading to massive revenue loss and dwindling of the petroleum deposit. However, NSF said it cannot be an excuse for the state government to “resort to steps which will compromise with the inalienable right of the Naga people over our land and resources.” NSF has demanded that the state government place the proposed tripartite agreement in public domain for thorough deliberation, consultations and suggestions before the state government acting upon it.

CAG detects financial irregularities in departments Ayushman 2.0 in works for 400 million mid-income citizens

DIMAPUR, MAR 28 (NPN): Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, which was tabled on the last day of the first session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), detected financial anomalies in departments including fraudulent/excess drawal of money in finance department (treasuries & accounts), evasion of Nagaland Value Added Tax in finance (taxation) department, loss of revenue due to non-renewal of licence in finance department (Nagaland state lotteries) and default in payment of motor vehicle taxes in the Motor Vehicles Department.

Finance department (treasuries & accounts): CAG report stated that failure of the drawing and disbursing officers and treasury officers to exercise prescribed checks resulted in fraudulent/double/ excess drawals amounting to Rs2.78 crore. It pointed out that test check of pay bill vouches of various departments by Audit revealed that 28 DDOs of 17 departments had misappropriated Rs.2.78 crore by fraudulently drawing pay and allowances. The money was withdrawn by inflating the net total of pay bills, double drawal of pay and allowances, arrears, etc in

violation of the prescribed Financial Rules. In this regard, CAG has recommended that the state government probe all such matter of all the departments. It also recommended initiating disciplinary action against the erring officers responsible for the fraudulent drawls. Motor vehicles department: CAG found out that the department failed to invoke the provisions of Nagaland Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1967 and Nagaland Passengers and Goods Taxation Act, 1967 to recover the outstanding motor vehicles tax from vehicle owners resulting in

shortfall of tax collection to the tune of Rs.9.37 crore. According to the report, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had recommended the department to take action against the defaulting vehicle owners. However, despite the recommendation, CAG detected that during scrutiny (September 2021) of VAHAN portal in respect of Nagaland, out of the 1,33,377 vehicles registered under eight regional/district transport offices during 2016-21, 12,050 vehicles defaulted in payment of Motor Vehicle Tax and Goods/Passengers Tax.

NEW DELHI, MAR 28 (AGENCIES): The Centre is planning to roll out Ayushman Bharat version 2.0. It will cater to 400 million middle-income citizens, The Economic Times (ET) has reported. Quoting officials aware of the development, the report said that Niti Aayog and the Union Ministry of Health are working out the specifics of the proposed plan. The gover nment is examining several options while considering the scheme’s financial implica(Cont’d on p-8) tions. Along with the finan-

cial burden, the government is also contemplating the challenges of implementing the plan, the report quoted sources who requested anonymity. Different alternatives include providing a similar cover of Rs 5 lakh as provided under Ayushman Bharat. The scheme is also exploring options to get a partial contribution or a topup from individuals covered under the scheme. To make the plan sustainable, the government is also reaching out to health insurance companies and trying to devise an economi-

cally viable package that provides basic medical coverage at a reasonable cost. The report quoted an official saying, “The private companies are willing to develop a new dedicated product to cater to this segment, provided the government assures them of high volume of coverage to make it viable.” To this end, Niti Aayog has already conducted multiple rounds of consultations with the insurance companies, and the draft policy regarding the same could come up soon for consideration. K Y M C


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