CM appeals for resolution to Special Category States’ woes

Dimapur, April 23 (EMN): The chief minister of Nagaland has highlighted to the central government what he called “disruption” in the implementation of various projects approved by the then Planning Commission.
Addressing the meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog at New Delhi, Chief Minister Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu requested the prime minister to “reconsider the problems faced by Special Category States,” Nagaland in particular and “approve the SPA backlog.”
A copy of the chief minister’s speech was issued to the media on Sunday.
“On the Appraisal of the 12th Five Year Plan, I wish to comment that there has frankly been disruption in the implementation of various projects approved by the then Planning Commission,” the chief minister stated.
“I would like to request that the NITI Aayog’s recommendations should be treated as binding on other Ministries, including the Union Finance Ministry, otherwise the efforts of the NITI Aayog and its successor role to the Planning Commission is called into question.”
An instance that he cited was that “after much consultations,” the NITI Aayog had submitted recommendations to the Ministry of Finance with regard to the SPA, but they remain unapproved.
“I wish to therefore request the honourable prime minister to reconsider the problems faced by Special Category States, in particular Nagaland and approve the SPA backlog. The unfinished projects will otherwise never be completed by the meagre resources made available to the state,” Dr. Liezietsu stated.
In another matter, the chief minister requested the Government of India to “expedite the Naga Framework Agreement” signed on the 3rd of August, 2015.
“This bold agreement will finally bring to a close the long standing political issues, allowing for a vibrant Nagaland to fully participate and be an equal part in the march towards a great India,” the chief minister added.

Three-year action agenda presented at NITI Aayog meet
(IANS adds)
NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Arvind Panagariya on Sunday presented a draft of the three-year action agenda for the nation’s development at its Governing Council meeting here.
The (NITI National Institution for Transforming India) Vice Chairman noted that over 300 specific action points have been identified under the action agenda covering the whole gamut of sectors. He said that inputs from the states were incorporated in the agenda.
Panagariya invited further inputs and support of the states in taking the vision forward.
“The action agenda is coterminus with the 14th Finance Commission’s award. This gives stability to the funding estimates of both the Centre and states,” a NITI Aayog statement said.
Panagariya said that apart from the action agenda, there would be a seven-year strategy and a 15-year long-term vision that will replace the erstwhile Five-Year Plans for the nation’s planning framework.
The 12th Five-Year Plan ended on March 31.
During NITI Aayog Governing Council’s third meeting here, presentations were made on the Goods and Services Tax (GST), raising agricultural income and the work done by the Aayog so far, the statement said.
NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant outlined the initiatives taken in areas like agriculture, poverty elimination, health, education, digital payments, disinvestment, coastal zone, and island development.
He said that NITI Aayog will work with states to improve basic services and infrastructure, especially in districts and regions which require specific attention.
Union Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia made a presentation on the GST, explaining the benefits of the indirect tax collection system and the way forward. He urged the Chief Ministers of states to expedite the legislation of State GST Bills.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan made a presentation on doubling farmers’ income by focusing on irrigation, technology generation and dissemination, and policy and market reforms.