ASSEMBLY SESSION 2018-19: We can find solution only through 'Nagaism' – Rio

Kohima Bureau Kohima, March 26 (EMN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday reiterated that resolution to Indo-Naga political issue remains at the top of his government’s agenda and the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) does not have two opinions or two political stands on the matter. “We have committed to the people that we will pave way for a political solution or any alternative arrangement that may come about from the political negotiations,” he said while participating in the general discussion on budget 2018-19. Stating that real development cannot be realised without peace, he appealed to all to rise to the occasion and collectively work towards peace and development. On the remark made by the opposition leader TR Zeliang that the NSCN (K) and Adino Phizo’s NNC should also be included in the political negotiation, Rio stated that the PDA was ‘informally’ in touch with the groups. “In a democracy, all may not be in consensus, but our doors are open and we all should try to bring them. If they are not willing, the Nagas or the Indian government may not wait forever,” he said. He also pointed out that some may say the interlocutor for Naga peace talks RN Ravi was authorised to solve the Naga issue, but that would be misleading and undermining the Nagas. The Prime Minister, he observed, can authorise somebody but an interlocutor cannot resolve or solve the Naga political issue at his level. The interlocutor had expressed to the NSCN (IM) and “with us” that whatever demands and agreements in principle have been taken to the government but the latter was not agreeing to some resulting in an obstacle, Rio divulged. Therefore, he said, to say that Ravi was given the full authority to resolve the issue was not possible. He further explained that whatever was agreed would be taken to the parliament and the House has to pass it, only then, it can be incorporated in the Constitution of India. He said to have asked if solution would come before election, and was told it was possible, but ‘for reasons known best to them’, they could not come to a meeting point. Rio regretted that everyone talks about the Indo-Naga political issue but harbour ‘isms’: from individualism to clanism to village-isms to tribalism, but failing to come to the level of ‘Nagaism’. “Only when we forego the lower ones and come up to Nagaism and make sacrifices then we can find a solution,” he maintained. He also pointed out that the demand of Naga nationalist groups are very clear: total independence and total sovereignty. But realising the practical difficulties, though the Nagas have a history recognised as unique and their issue recognized as political, there are some serious issues that needs to be comprised, he lamented. On the confusion about the PDA’s proposal to set up a Centre for Peace and Non-violence, he reiterated that inter-tribal issues needed to be removed and trust has to be rebuilt. He said all the tribal hohos once used to be united under the Naga Hoho, including the Naga Mothers’ Association, the ENPO and the UNC, but observed that many tribes have withdrawn from the body. Therefore, in the present status, in order to give them strength, the Naga Hoho should have the mandate of the different tribe bodies and the participation of the ENPO and UNC as well. He stressed on the need for the apex bodies to come together in support of each other and speak both to the Naga people and the government of India. That way, he expressed, ‘whatever big or small we get’, can survive and sustain and become honourable. Rio also said that the common minimum programme of the PDA government and the highlights were already in the budget document. He reminded the House of several programmes and initiatives of his government: setting up of public grievances cell, connectivity to all districts through Bharat broadband, promotion of Hornibill brand, new tourism policy, new rural livelihood programme, online billing system, new assurance scheme for students studying outside, new state sports policy, commemorating Dr. T Ao’s centenary year, initiatives to promote and attainment of gender equality, state investment and development authority, clean and green Nagaland initiative, study tour and excursion for students, project management board and monitoring all major projects and programmes to be implemented on time, Nagaland health project to be implemented in 177 locations, holy land tours and privileges with preference to be given to church leaders, law and order, e-governance through digital India, monitoring of all major roads in state, meritocracy in recruitments, websites of government departments for transparency etc. On removal of VIP culture, he informed that details regarding this will be discussed at the cabinet meeting scheduled to be held on March 27. On the security concerns raised by members of the House, Rio divulged that car stickers will be issued for identification of MLAs, bureaucrats, police and administration and other government officers and civil society. “We can live without VIP culture,” he asserted and urged upon all the members to bear with the changes and make things smooth for the public. On works programmes or sectoral allocations not being published for some years, he stated them to be due to change in funding pattern from planning commission to NITI Aayog. Therefore, the visible funds are put under planning head, he said. After the budget is passed, the state planning board will sit and will distribute allocations to the departments and the activities would be put up on the departmental websites for transparency, he added. On the concern raised by some of the members on Digital Day being scheduled to be held on Good Friday this year, the chief minister said the cabinet will discuss the matter. “We are Christians and there is no compromise in our faith. We should not have apprehension. We will continue to protect our people, our identity, our culture and our faith. This I can assure you,” Rio stated. As regards the budget figures, he said there appeared to be confusion among the members. Pointing to the concerns raised by MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu during debate on the governor’s address that files should not be held in the finance department for ‘cuts and percentages’, chief minister said he felt it necessary to reply. Noting that Nienu was not present in the House on Monday, Rio hoped he was “on a better mission”, but if the allegations made by him were in practice, he would ensure that no files were held up in his office or finance department. He informed that he had cleared many files which were pending in the chief minister’s office for reasons that were not recorded. On allegations that several files had gone missing, he said efforts were being made to investigate and trace such files and if necessary, appropriate action would be taken as per the law since government files could not simply go missing. On funds for development activities for the new fiscal, he reminded that INR 987 cr. was set under planning machinery to be allocated to the departments with the approval of state planning board at the earliest. He also reminded that during the last financial year, in a similar exercise, an amount of INR 150 cr. under planning machinery for implementation of Revision of Pay 2017. He questioned as to where the money had gone during the current year as he was made to understand that the fund was not used for the specified purpose. “This diversion of earmarked fund has added to the deficit by that much since RoP 2017 had to be implemented anyway. Therefore, the opposition leader complaining about calculation and skyrocketing of deficit, may not have taken these into consideration,” the chief minister pointed out. “It appears that the members of the opposition bench are experiencing uneasy doubts drawn from their own experiences,” he added sarcastically. The total development budget for the year 2018-19 is projected at INR 4552 cr. an increase of 22.36% over the previous year’s developmental budget which was INR 3720.51 cr. “This is the highest outlay for development in the budget since statehood,” he asserted, and assured that his government would do its best to utilize the development funds judiciously. Appropriate allocations would be made to reflect the priorities and programmes in his budget speech, he added. Opposition leader TR Zeliang interrupted by stating that the INR 150 cr. given to planning machinery was not for RoP but to meet the state share and was not diverted. However, Rio stated that the amount was accounted into deficit without any specification. With regard to Zeliang’s allegation on misleading budget figures, Rio also stated that as far as the ‘wrong and misleading’ projected deficit as mentioned by the governor in his speech as ‘skyrocketing to INR 1657.88 cr’ but the budget document shows a closing deficit to be of INR 1630.67. Referring to Zeliang’s claim that he had inherited a deficit of INR 1252 cr. and not INR 950 cr, he clarified that he had passed a vote on account for 2014-15 in which the closing deficit was projected at INR 1234 cr. When the full budget of 2014-15 was passed in July 2014, the closing deficit stood at INR 1253.88 cr.,” he pointed out. He asserted that since Zeliang was in power since 2014-15 as he had left for Delhi in 2014 thus he had no part in creating deficit in 2014-15 till 2017-18 which deteriorated by INR 707.79 cr. Meanwhile, Rio appreciated the members from the opposition bench as well as those from the treasury and acknowledged them for participating in the debates. He asked them to wait and see and then criticize and give suggestions for improvement. The Assembly passed the budget for the fiscal 2018-19 by voice vote.