KOHIMA, JULY 12 : The monsoon session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) began today on a rather unusual note with the completion of the business listed for the day barely within 15 minutes.
This is the third such occasion where the state assembly proceedings lasted under 30 minute-mark ever since the August House became “opposition-less” in 2015. Last year in December, the one-day Winter Session of the NLA got over in less than half-an-hour, and earlier in March 2016, the fifth day of the Budget Session winded up in less than 15 minutes.
During the day’s proceedings on Tuesday, the NLA Speaker Chotisuh Sazo made an obituary reference to the passing away of former MLA R Lisen and the House observed two minutes of silence as a sign of respect to the departed soul.
Chief Minister TR Zeliang presented the supplementary demand for grants for regularization of excess expenditure for the year 2011-12 in the floor of the House, and the discussion for the same has been scheduled to be held on July 14.
Meanwhile, parliamentary secretary, Levi Rengma moved the motion for extension of tenure of the select committee on Nagaland Lokayukta Bill 2015 under Rule 230 (1). The select committee, which includes Levi Rengma as chairman, parliamentary secretaries R Tohanba, C Apok Jamir, Pukhayi and advisor Dr. TM Lotha as members, would present the committee report within six months.
Commissioner & secretary NLA reported the assent of the Governor to three Bills- The Nagaland Prohibition of Gambling and Promotion and Regulation of Online Games of Skill Bill 2015; The Nagaland Appropriation (No.1) Bill 2016; and The Nagaland Appropriation (No.2) Bill 2016.
New private (Catholic) university in the offing
The Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) today introduced the draft Bill of a new private university during the first day of the three-day 12th session of the 12th NLA. The Bill was introduced in the House by parliamentary secretary for Higher & Technical Education, Deo Nukhu as the St. Joseph Catholic University (Nagaland) Bill 2016.
The Bill seeks to establish and incorporate a private university in the state, under the sponsorship of DMI Foundation Nagaland, with emphasis on providing quality and industry relevant education in the areas of accounting, financial analysis & management, business management, applied sciences, engineering & technology, agriculture, architecture, law, education, medical sciences and related areas approved by university “from time to time and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto”.
Since the establishment of a private university can be done only through an Act of the state legislative assembly as per provisions in the University Grants Commission (Establishment and Maintenance of Standards in Private University) Regulations 2003, the draft bill seeks to be enacted by the NLA, and the Act thereof would come into force on the date appointed by the state government by notification in the official gazette.
A memorandum of financial implication endorsed by the parliamentary secretary stated that the establishment of St. Joseph Catholic University (Nagaland) shall not cast any financial obligation in any manner on the government of Nagaland or its agencies, and the Act and regulations shall be exclusively borne by the university itself.
Meanwhile, during the day’s brief proceedings, minister for Social Security & Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs, Kiyanilie Peseyie introduced the Nagaland Salaries, Allowances and other Facilities of the Chief Minister, other Ministers, Speaker, Leader of Opposition, Deputy Speaker, other MLAs/Parliamentary Secretaries and Pension for Ex-Member (Fifth Amendment) Bill 2016.
The considering and passing of the above Government Bills will be taken up on July 14. The House will have a recess on Wednesday and resume on Thursday.
