This issue 12 + 4 = 16 Pages @ ` 5.00
Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXIX No. 80
DIMAPUR, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2019 Pages 16 ` 5.00
Ended 34-year CPM rule, Peace deal possible if N Korea can remove Modi: Mamata doesn’t test weapons: Trump
Peace deal possible if N Korea doesn’t test weapons: Trump
national, Page 12
international, Page 13
sports, Page 16
Rio presents tax-free Rs 1,611.98 cr deficit budget
Correspondents
KOHIMA, FEB 25 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, who also holds the crucial Finance portfolio, Monday presented a budget for 2019-20 with an estimated deficit of Rs 1,611.98 crore which he termed is as “people-friendly budget” and no new taxes levied. The budget document running into 13 pages has an estimated total gross receipt of Rs 17,604.48 crore and a total gross expenditure of Rs 18,012.73 crore for the financial year 2019-2020. He said the current year’s transaction was estimated to result in a positive balance of Rs 49.70 crore, but due to a negative opening balance of Rs 1661.68 crore, the period 2019-20 was estimated to close with a negative balance of Rs 1611.98 crore. Rio said the State’s projected share for Centralsponsored schemes was Rs 207.87 crore. Briefly elaborating the allocation made for developmental activities in 2019-20, the chief minister said Rs 29.50 crore was being allocated for agri and allied sector mainly for providing
Govt to cut down number of employees Correspondent
KOHIMA, FEB 25 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister and minister in-charge of finance, Neiphiu Rio, on Monday informed the Assembly that his government has decided to cut down on intake of government employees. To set aside scarce resources to fund more productive activities, Rio stated that the state government would have to cut down the number of government employees. Rio said the state’s adverse financial position was mainly on account of the huge number of government employees, whose salary requirements consume much of the funds that could otherwise use for developmental activities. Rio said that the state cannot continue to sacrifice its developmental requirements solely to pay salaries. He said a time would come when government servants also need to perform their duties conscientiously and enhance their productivity for the benefit of the people in whose name and at whose expense they were employed. Rio also pointed out that government pay employees well and would not be wrong in expecting more commitment and sincerity.
This is it!
“Hats off to the man for all seasons who wears many hats”. K Y M C
A. RECEIPTS
Rs. (in crore)
State’s Own Tax and Non-Tax Revenue
1,109.16
State’s Share in Central Taxes
4,192.50
Central Assistance (Grants & Loans)
7,894.16
Internal Debt (including WMA from RBI)
4,407.15
Recovery of Loans and Advances by State Govt
1.51
Total
B : EXPENDITURES
17,604.15
Rs. (in crore)
Non Development Expenditure (excluding Servicing of Debt)
8240.65
Servicing of Debt (including repayment of WMA)
5,093.13
Development Expenditure (including CSS etc)
4,678.95
Total
key infrastructure. In rural development sector, an outlay of Rs 6.04 crore was provided for construction activities and Rs 91 crore for special area development programme, which included Rs 60 crore for local area development programme, Rs 8 crore for special development scheme, Rs 21 crore for border area development programme for eastern Nagaland and Rs 2 crore for completion of ENPO hostel at Science College, Kohima. For water resources
18,012.73
sector, he said an outlay of Rs 2 crore was provided while Rs 24 crore was provided in energy sector for improvement for power infrastructure and distribution system. For industries and minerals, an outlay of Rs 7.50 crore was provided mainly for promotion of entrepreneurship for start-ups. In transport sector, Rio said an outlay of Rs. 52.55 crore has been provided, out of which Rs 40 crore was for improvement of roads in Kohima and Dimapur,
It’s an entertainment budget: T.R. Zeliang
Criticizing the budget tabled by chief minister, opposition leader T.R. Zeliang said it was more of an “entertainment budget”. Speaking to media persons after the presentation of the budget, Zeliang said the budget paper contained “more of festivals and entertainment than policies for the welfare of the people”. NPF member Yitachu also said that there was no mention of transparency and accountability in the budget. He said NPF was ready to debate on the budget on Tuesday. while assuring to continue to cover the remaining roads in the coming financial year. In science and technology sector, Rs 5.86 crore has been allocated, which includes Rs 2.66 crore for improvement of planetarium at Science City, Dimapur and Rs. 1.70 crore for information & technology and communication department for overhauling local area network connectivity in the Secretariat as the existing system was more than 15 years old.
The budged provided Rs 41.15 crore for general and economics services sector that includes provisions for land compensation, CM corpus fund and implementation of special development goals under planning department. Tourism department has been allocated Rs. 7.50 crore for conduct of Hornbill and Mini Hornbill festivals to be held in every district. The department of food & civil supplies, legal metrology & consumer protection and evaluation has been provided funds for various construction activities. An amount of Rs 112.74 crore has been provided in the social services sector, which constitutes 18.51% of the total outlay, while provisions have been made for improvement of infrastructure in school and higher education sector. In youth resources & sports sector, Rio said focus would be given to capacity building and training of sportspersons. General services sector has been provided an outlay of Rs 27.71 crore mainly for improving of housing and other infrastructure facilities in various parts of the (Cont’d on p-11) State.
PDA govt adopts resolution on CAB amid opposition walk-out Correspondent
KOHIMA, FEB 25 (NPN): After a heated debate between the ruling and opposition benches prior to the vote on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in the ongoing session of the 13th NLA, opposition NPF members staged a walkout in protest against the rejection of their demand for dropping points 3 and 4 from the Assembly Draft Resolution on Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB). This happened when the resolution was moved by the leader of the house and chief minister Neiphiu Rio. The opposition members opposed the clubbing of two constitutional provisions (mentioned in the resolution)– Article 371(A) and Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873– with the Citizenship Amendment Bill which they termed as “illogical”. Raising the objection, the Leader of Opposition (LoO), T.R. Zeliang demanded that matters concerning Article 371 (A) and BEFR 1873 should be taken up separately. He further maintained that if the house
agreed to out rightly reject the CAB, then the opposition was ready to support. However, he asserted that the opposition bench will not be a part of the “polluted resolution”. Zeliang pointed out that as the resolution was to be of the NLA, opinions of all political parties should be taken into consideration otherwise, it would become a government resolution. “While we reject the Citizenship Amendment Bill on one hand, we cannot adopt a resolution stating that we are protected under Article 371(A) or ILP on the other hand,” he said. Responding to Zeliang, Leader of the House (LoH) Neiphiu Rio explained that the safest way to fight the Bill (CAB) was through Article 371 (A) and BEFR 1873. Therefore, he said that without the two “we won’t have the weapon to fight with”. Rio justified that protecting these provisions will also strengthen the Naga political issue and the negotiating teams. Therefore, he said the question of omitting resolutions 3 and 4 did not arise. The issue got heated after the deputy speaker asked the opposition bench
ANGCCTU reacts to NNQF Fuel prices hiked Naga groups demand resolution of insurgency issue before LS polls
DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): Reacting to the statement of Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF), All Nagaland Government College Contract Teachers’ Union (ANGCCTU) said it was hurt at the labelling of contractual college teachers as “backdoor appointees”. The union, in a release, clarified that the allegations were far from being factual, besides being demeaning. ANGCCTU said the appointments were for tenures of one year or six months on fixed pay basis, which was very meagre and was less than the salary of a college office peon or chowkidar. The union said the contractual teachers were also required to apply for extension of their services after expiry of these short periods, adding these requests for extensions were very often granted after substantial delay, causing much mental and financial
hardship. “There are some among us who have not been paid for almost a year now,” it alleged. Claiming that there were even such contractual college teachers who had served in this situation for 10 years or more, the union said its members were far from enjoying any facilities. Despite meagre salary and perpetual sense of insecurity, the workloads of such teachers were no less than regular ones with their services not being only limited to classroom teachings and participations in extracurricular activities, but also involved extending services to government and public on a par with regular teaching employees, it added. ANGCCTU explained that clarification to clear the “misconception” that had been created among the people following filing of a writ petition in Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench by NNQF.
NEW DELHI, FEB 25 (AGENCIES): Petrol and diesel prices were hiked marginally on Monday, making a fifth day of upwards revision in the rates. While the petrol prices were increased in the range of 14-16 paise per litre in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, the diesel rates were raised by 16-17 paise per litre, data from Indian Oil Corporation showed. The fuel prices have been revised upwards 11 times in 12 days, according to the Indian Oil data. Currently, the prices of petrol and diesel are reviewed by oil marketing companies such as Indian Oil on a daily basis, and any changes are effected at fuel stations at 6 am. Petrol and diesel prices are determined broadly by the rates of crude oil overseas and rupee-dollar in the forex market.
New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI): Different Naga organisations on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the decades-old insurgency issue in Nagaland before the general election, saying it was getting delayed due to the “adamant” position of the Centre. “During the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign, the prime minister had promised to solve the Naga political problem within 18 months if the BJP formed the government at the Centre. Now, it’s almost 60 months since then and the Nagas are yet to see the formidable leadership of Delhi fulfilling the promise made. We want a solution before the Lok Sabha polls,” Yaronsho Ngalung, chairman of the Autonomous District Council, Ukhrul (Manipur), said at a press conference here.
Representatives of the Naga Mothers’ Association, Naga Students’ Union, Delhi, and a host of civil society organisations said they had submitted a memorandum to Modi over their demands. The organisations had held a protest march on Saturday demanding immediate political solution to the issue. “The Naga masses are well informed that the search of model for solution is being dragged due to the adamant position of India (government) in recognising the distinct political identity of the Nagas -- such as, flag, constitution, passport, etc,” the memorandum to the prime minister said. The memorandum pointed out to the demands by the Naga people, led by civil societies, for a political solution before the assembly election in Nagaland last year. Ram Madhav,
the in-charge of the BJP in the Northeast, and R N Ravi, the interlocutor for the Naga peace talks, had promised “election for solution”. Although, the party has managed to form governments in Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and joined the coalition government in Nagaland, the promises have amounted to nothing, it added. The ‘Framework Agreement’ was signed on August 3, 2015, by NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and the government interlocutor in the presence of Modi. The agreement came after over 80 rounds of negotiations spanning 18 years, with the first breakthrough made in 1997 when the ceasefire agreement was sealed after decades of insurgency in Nagaland, which started soon after India’s independence in 1947.
Unresolved Naga political issue restricted progress, says Rio Correspondents
KOHIMA, FEB 25 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, Monday held the unresolved political issue as one of the major factors behind the challenges that Naga people faced in the past decades. In his budget speech in the ongoing assembly on Monday, Rio said Naga youth were facing hurdles in their quest to achieve their aspirations and people denied opportunities on a par with their counterparts in the rest of the country and the world. He said Naga society comprises of a vibrant and energetic population of youngsters who have the capacity to reach international standards, set new benchmarks and do their country proud. However, he said they have been restricted due to the challenges created by the political turmoil and social unrest. Rio reiterated
that the ruling PDA government’s top priority was to undertake every possible measure to positively contribute towards the ongoing dialogue to facilitate an honourable and acceptable solution to the people. While appreciating the positive steps undertaken by the negotiating parties, the chief minister appealed for expediting the peace process and to bring about an early political resolution for lasting peace and all round development. He also called upon all sections of the people to unite for creating a congenial atmosphere so that the Naga aspiration for honourable peace was realised so as to march ahead for a better future. On the PDA government’s effort on Naga issue, Rio informed the house that the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the government held a consultative meeting with civil society
organisations, tribal hohos, and NGOs on May 11, 2018. The meeting resolved to reconstitute the Joint Legislators’ Forum (JLF) on the Naga political issue in this new House. In pursuance of this, he said JLF was reconstituted under the chairmanship of NLA Speaker with all 60 Members of the House , along with a smaller working committee under one banner to resolve the decades’ old issue in the greater interest of Naga people. NE natives to be exempted from ILP: Speaking on Inner Line Permit (ILP), the chief minister said that the indigenous people of northeast region would not be affected even if the ILP was implemented in Dimapur. He said native people from north-eastern region should be exempted so that the sense of belonging would be there. His remarks come days after deputy chief min-
ister, Y Patton, announced that the state cabinet approved recommendation of the committee on ILP and directed extension of ILP to the entire state including Dimapur district. 75th anniv of Battle of Kohima: On commemoration of 75th anniversary of Battle of Kohima, the chief minister said the state government has set up a state level committee and working committee and a year-long commemorative calendar of activities has been planned. “We will be holding events, functions, services, seminars and festivals in partnership and collaboration with Governments and NGOs of Great Britain, Japan, Myanmar, the United States, the Defence and Home Ministries etc,” he said. The events would also engage war veterans, students, families of those buried here and local communities. He said the aim is to
convert this milestone year as an opportunity into the potentials of war and heritage tourism in a manner that would give attraction to the tourism to increase economy of the State. 4 year B.Ed. courses for govt colleges: State chief minister said the government would be introducing four year B.Ed. course in all the government colleges of Nagaland with the approval of the National College of Teacher Education. He said this would help the graduates get jobs as well as address the problem of shortage of trained Teachers. Computerized database for govt employees: To capture the details of every employee of the state government, the chief minister said the state government was in the process of acquiring full control over the employee database through the Personnel
Information Management System (PIMS) to ensure that every new employee appointed and captured in the system was completely verified. He added that it would eventually be linked to salary payments. It would also remove the problems of appointments without posts and payment of salaries for non-existent employees. Rio said the government was also streamlining the pension database to capture and verify all state government pensioners to check the problem of bogus pensioners. These measures are expected to bring substantial financial savings for the state, he added. IDAN: Nagaland chief minister said the state government has established the IDAN with a policy of single window clearance to create a congenial environment to make Nagaland an investment destination.
on whether it was willing to withdraw the amendment. The entire opposition trooped out in protest from the house when the deputy speaker had asked the leader of the house to move for adoption of the resolution. The resolution was adopted by a voice-vote in the absence of the opposition members. Earlier taking part in the discussion, NPF legislator, Imkong L. Imchen said the bill should not be made as an Assembly resolution. Instead, he suggested holding a special session to debate on the issue in order to arrive at a consensus. Opposition MLA, Yitachu urged all elected members to come together, leaving aside the political divide to oppose the CAB in the interest of the people. Chumben Murry, NPF member said that article 371(A) does not have protective effect on CAB and therefore he said the Bill had to be opposed till Nagaland was exempted from the purview of CAB. Other opposition members-- AmenbaYaden, Dr. Imtiwapang Aier and BS Nganglang- also spoke out against the government move during the debate. (Cont’d on p-11)
UDAN 3.0: Dimapur will be connected to 3 more cities DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu, has announced that Dimapur would be connected to three more cities under the Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme. Announcing this on twitter, the union minister tweeted “Affordable flying and regional connectivity under UDAN 3.0 will now connect #Dimapur in #Nagaland to 3 more cities.” State chief minister Neiphiu Rio has thanked the UDAN initiative by the government of India, saying domestic air connectivity would get enhanced for the people in Nagaland.
DUCCF, GBUD appeal
DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): Dimapur Urban Council Chairman Federation (DUCCF) and GB Union Dimapur (GBUD) Monday extended support to the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) on the issue of lifting ban on Sunday markets. In a press release, DUCCF president and GB union president urged the NSCN (I-M) to listen to the call of NCD, which they said was “genuine and positive.” The two organisations asserted that total closure of market leads to multiple inconvenience and huge loss of revenue.
NMA to boycott meeting with Ravi
DIMAPUR, FEB 25 (NPN): Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) Monday announced its decision to boycott the meeting with the Deputy NSA and Interlocutor for Naga peace talks RN Ravi on February 26, 2019 in Kohima. In a press release, NMA president Abeiu Meru and joint secretary Sawmi Leyri said meeting boycott was in protest against the insincerity of the government of India and its failure to resolve the long drawn Naga political issue and bring peace. NMA said it would be sending a memorandum (Cont’d on p-11) citing reasons thereof. K Y M C