EMN
Dimapur, January 11
[dropcap]C[/dropcap]hief Minister TR Zeliang has termed as unfortunate Imkong L. Imchen’s concerted efforts in spreading misinformation through the local media and creating confusion in the minds of the people. In order to remove such confusion, the Chief Minister has issued some clarification on the points he raised through the local media, Karaibo Chawang, Media Officer to Chief Minister, said in a release on Sunday.
It is preposterous to accuse that despite sufficient time given, the Chief Minister has failed to provide efficient administration to run the affairs of the State in an effective manner. The State government machinery is functioning normally and there has been no breakdown in governance of the State. On the other hand, it is most unfortunate that he has directed State employees not to obey orders of the government, saying that responsibility will be fixed on those officers failing to comply with such “directives”. When there is a government in place functioning as per the constitutional provisions, such directives only exhibit the base levels to which his mind has been reduced. Such a statement amounts to provoking the employees to rebel against a constitutionally set up government and is highly illegal. This indeed is a dangerous trend for the State. It must be remembered that the government employees are outside the domain of the current political situation, and should not be dragged into this controversy. By making such statements, he is not only exposing his ignorance, but also belittling the office of the Governor who is there to see that there is no violation of any constitutional provision on the part of the State government.
The appointment of parliamentary secretaries, advisers and chairmen of various government agencies was restored to at the time of the downsizing of the government, in order to effect better governance. The Chief Minister is only continuing this practice, and the question of deviation from the Rules of Executive Business does not arise.
The BJP has been an active constituent of the DAN, and there is no dispute or misunderstanding between the NPF and the BJP. It will be re-collected that after three NCP legislators merged with the BJP, it was the NCP which had filed a complaint against such a merger to the Speaker. They had petitioned the Speaker for their disqualification as per the provisions of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India. It was on the basis of this that the Speaker had given his rulings leading to the disqualification of the 3 legislators. The Chief Minister had nothing to do with such disqualification proceedings, which is a quasi-judicial matter.
4. Ever since signing of the Cease Fire Agreement between the government of India and the NSCN (IM), and subsequently with the NSCN (K), the State government has been urging the government of India for an early statement. It is now almost 18 years since the talk began and we are yet to see a settlement of the Naga political issue. It is unrealistic to expect the new Chief Minister to resolve the issue within 7 months, when everyone is aware that the State government has not been made a party to the talks. For the record, the Chief Minister had already met the Prime Minister on three occasions, urging him for an early solution. It was only after this that the post of Interlocutor, which has been lying vacant for quite sometime following the resignation of the previous incumbent RS Pandey, was filled up.
5. On the oil issue, it is known to everybody that the Assembly had passed a unanimous resolution in 2010, and subsequently adopted the Nagaland Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulation, 2012 and Nagaland Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2012. It was on the basis of such rules and regulations that companies were appointed for exploration and production of oil and gas in Nagaland, after approval of the ministerial group, which was chaired by former Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, and of which Imkong L Imchen himself was a member. The present government is only continuing the policy decisions that were taken earlier. If Imkong considers this to be a wrong decision or policy, then why did he agree and append his signature as a Cabinet minister and member of the Ministerial Group at that point of time?
6. While it is a fact that the NCP was not a part of the pre-poll alliance under DAN, members from the NCP were included in the DAN III ministry as chairmen during the previous ministry of Neiphiu Rio. This arrangement is only being continued.
On the accusation of Imchen against the government of financial mismanagement and corruption, the release said it is for all to see that the government had inherited an empty coffer and the Chief Minister is trying to clear the financial mess, so that the State does not continue to suffer. If there are any specific cases of financial mismanagement or corruption against the present Chief Minister, such cases should be clearly indicated, the release stated, adding that such accusations coming from a person like Imchen, whose past records are known to all, are most unwarranted.
The release also rejected Imchen’s accusation that the Chief Minister sent armed elements to the resident of T. Torechu to kidnap him as total false. “Such charges are most unfortunate, and show the scant regard he has for facts in his attempt to unconstitutionally overthrow the government,” it pointed out.
The clarification has been made so that the people are aware of the fact and not misled by the misinformation campaign launched by the dissident group, who are vehemently trying every means for change of the Chief Minister through anti-party activities and unconstitutional means, the release added.
Seven out of the total of eight Independent MLAs of the State have issued a joint statement declaring that they have been together under TR Zeliang’s leadership in DAN-III and will continue to be with him inside and outside the House. They also asserted to jointly work with Zeliang and support his leadership for the welfare of the people and all round development of the State.
The seven Independent MLAs issued the declaration on Sunday following Imkong L. Imchen’s statement which appeared in local dailies on January 11 wherein, they said, beside other baseless issues, no mention of the factual position about the eight Independent MLAs in the present Nagaland Legislative Assembly was made.
They further clarified that they have been a part of the DAN-III government since day one and that nobody can forfeit them from the membership of this alliance.
The seven Independent MLAS who appended the joint statement are Er. Levi Rengma, 12th Tsemenyu A/C, Jacob Zhimomi, 4 Ghaspani-1 A/C, YM Yollow, 42nd Wakching A/C, Er. Picto Shohe, 32ND Atoizu A/C, Toyang Chang, 53 Tuensang Sadar-1 A/C, S. Chuba, 24 Angetyongpang A/C and Amenba Yaden, 21 Tuli A/C.
