Principal Correspondent
KOHIMA, JULY 25
THE Nagaland Legislative Assembly today passed the state Budget for 2014-15 amounting to Rs 12473.45 crore by voice vote.
The passing of the budget authorises the government to make payment and appropriation of the sum from the consolidated fund of the State of Nagaland to the services of the year ending on March 31, 2015.
The Budget for the fiscal was passed through The Nagaland Appropriation (No.3) Bill, 2014 which was introduced by Chief Minister TR Zeliang, who is also the Minister in-charge of Finance.
The Opposition Congress had put up cut motions against 30 government departments, however subsequent replies from the Minister in-charge of the departments and the Chief Minister led to withdrawal of the motions, except against Border Affairs, which had to be voted out.
In his response to the general discussion on Budget 2014-15 participated by Opposition Congress and ruling members, the Chief Minister TR Zeliang assured to take steps to ensure that the plan funds are used judiciously for the benefit of all sections of the people in all districts while also asserting to take austerity measures to curb the increasing financial deficit in the state. He acknowledged the suggestions raised by the members on the issue of the State Plan.
CM tables CAG report
THE Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its report tabled in the House today said that the fiscal deficit of the State increased due to the combined effect of increase in the capital expenditure and decrease in revenue surplus.
The report was tabled in the House by Chief Minister TR Zeliang.
As per the report, during 2012-13, 91% of the State total revenue came from the Government of India as Central transfers and grants-in-aid.
The report showed that the overall revenue expenditure of the State increased by Rs. 725.53 crore over the previous year.
The report also highlighted that there was 135 incomplete projects estimating a cost of Rs. 1986.15 crore, pertaining to 18 departments.
The C&AG in its report pointed out that the State should reduce its committed expenditure in the overall non-plan revenue.
It also said that the State should ensure timely and effective implementation of incomplete projects.
The C&AG suggested that budgetary controls should be strengthened in all the Government departments, particularly in the departments where savings excess persisted for the last five years.
It also pointed out departmental inquiries in all fraud and misappropriation cases should be expedited to bring any defaulters to book.
Cong hopes new govt would work for welfare of people
OPPOSITION Congress MLAs led by President SI Jamir today congratulated the new leader of the House, TR Zeliang and his team for taking over the governance of the state.
Participating in the general discussion on the Budget 2014-15 presented on July 22 by Chief Minister TR Zeliang, state Congress president said expressed the hope that the new team would work in the interest and welfare of the Naga people.
Jamir said it is the basic fundamental of the democracy that the majority forms the government to look after the welfare of the people while it is also fundamental for the minority to be strong opposition not just to oppose the government but to provide constructive criticism to build a prosperous and strong Nagaland.
He also appealed upon the treasury bench not take the criticism on personal lines but accept as basic principle of democracy for betterment.
Dwelling on the proposed Nagaland Special Development Zone (NSDZ) along the foothill areas of the state, he said the Congress is not against development or industrialisation but since it is a very critical issue the Congress wants that both the ruling and opposition bench should come together and have a brainstorming session before implementing NSDZ.
He said the present concept of NSDZ in a way is to facilitate landownership to outsiders. He expressed fear that if it is implemented in the present form, Nagaland may become another Tripura, where indigenous people are minority.
If it happens, he cautioned posterity will curse us and younger generation will face the problem.
He also requested the government to have serious deliberations with the civil societies before implementing NSDZ.
On exploration and exploitation of oil and natural resources, he said the Congress also wants it as it is must for revenue generation and also to provide employment opportunity to the youths. Nevertheless, he expressed that the state government should be legally as there is difference on the issue with the Union Ministry.
He also charged the government on the manner in which it has randomly appointed government employees. “The manner in which government employees are appointed is faulty and injurious to the Naga society,” he said.
He said it is high time for the new government to take serious measures to contain the menace of illegal appointments in the interest and welfare of the Naga people.
MLA C. Apok Jamir also spoke on similar lines while calling upon the government to take some austerity measures to contain the rising deficit of the state finances.
He said there is nothing new or constructive in the Budget, except the huge financial crisis, therefore the government has to adopt ways and means to minimise the expenditure.
Expressing that the activities of civil societies were never seen as of the day, specially rising against the decisions and policies of the government, he said “there is a need for the government of the day to introspect their performances.
“We have been thinking of short term and not long term impact,” he said, adding that the proverb “Unity in diversity” is on a threshold of breaking in the Naga society because of raising ‘ism’.
“This will destroy the entire Naga society,” he said while cautioning that unless the problem is tackled the consequences would be disastrous and the future will not forgive us.
He also urged the government to give priority to education and health sectors.
He also dwelt on the issue of influx of illegal immigrants, especially in Dimapur and termed it as a threat to Naga society. Pointing out that members of the House has been taking the issue lightly despite the high growth of illegal immigrant, Apok Jamir felt that the issue needs to be addressed on war footing to avoid dangerous consequences.
Saying that almost all members of the House has touched on Foot hill road and oil/petroleum issue Apok reminded that Nagaland has a protective Article in the form of Art 371 (A). This has been put to protect our interest and identify economy as well as political interest.
Apok was optimistic that the new Chief Minister has good intentions to put the Government in the right track, though a herculean task and assured that the opposition will continue to give constructive suggestions as also will caution the government on issues which will have negative consequences to the people of the state.
Congress MLAs E. Eshak Konyak, Imtiwapang Aier also supplemented against the government while also expressing fear that a day would come when the deficit go beyond the state plan size.
Former Minister and presently NPF MLA, Imkong L. Imchen appreciated the ‘tax-free’ budget of the Chief Minister while also extending support to the initiatives of enhancing own resource mobilization through exploration and exploitation of the mineral resources.
Imkong informed that based on the legal opinion of the legal luminaries the cabinet sub-committee started exercising their minds and felt that it was legally mandated to go on with oil exploration within the confines of state list and Article 371(A).
“The fiscal health of the state is not good so unless we mobilise our resources, we cannot generate revenue and this is one area, where government is expected to earn revenue”, he maintained.
Appreciating the proposed fixed circle rate for property, Imchen said “we need to have a beginning for such new initiative and unless we enhance own revenue generation, our fiscal health will be always suffer”.
NPF Parliamentary Secretary P. Pohwang Konyak and Independent MLAs from the treasury bench Amenba Yaden and S. Chuba Longkumer also participated in support of the government.
THE fifth session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) was adjourned sine die today.
The session assumed significance as it passed the maiden budget of the NPF-led DAN-III government under the leadership of Chief Minister TR Zeliang.
The Budget 2014-15 amounts to Rs 12,127.59 crore with an estimated deficit of Rs 1252.45 crore. This is one of the biggest budget ever passed by the Nagaland Assembly.
No new bills, except the Appropriation Bill, were introduced or passed in the four day session, which commenced on July 22, with a break on Wednesday.
Report of the Comptroller Auditor General of India on State Finances, Social, Economic, Revenue and General Sectors; Audit on Forest Department for the year ended 31st March 2013 was laid in the House by Chief Minister TR Zeliang on the last day of the session.
Zeliang also laid the Nagaland Coal Mining (First Amendment) Rules 2014 and The Nagaland Coal Policy (First Amendment) 2014.
A total of 48 starred and 10 unstarred questions raised by the Opposition were taken up during the question hour.
Interestingly, this would probably be the first session where none of the member put up any starred query on the decades old Naga Political issue, though expressions were made during the general discussion on the Budget.
