KOHIMA — Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) on the second day of the fourth session of the 14th session adopted the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address on Tuesday. The move for the discussion was moved on the first day by the advisor Moatoshi Longkumer and second that by advisor Sethrongkyu.
Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, while delivering the concluding remarks in the discussion on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, acknowledged the participation of the members in the discussion and expressed optimism to bring about a logical and peaceful resolution to the Naga political Issue during the tenure of 14th House of NLA.
With regard to Free Movement Regime (FMR) expressed by the members of the house concerning the recent announcement of the central government for suspending and fencing the border, Rio said, “This indeed is a serious matter for our people, especially those staying in the bordering areas. I assure that we are alive to the situation and we have written to the Central Government conveying our concerns and requesting for continuing the FMR.”
He also maintained that the state government had sought to come up with FMR regulations in close consultations with the state and the affected people in the border areas so as to suitably take concerns of everyone and ensure an arrangement of FMR which benefits all.
Rio asserted that training and capacity-building programmes and school leadership programmes are conducted at regular intervals to capacitate the teachers to function as educational managers and administrators as mandated in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, while he assured to continue to look into the matter for strengthening of training programmes.
To ensure equitable road projects across the state, he reaffirmed that the government is putting in all efforts on improving road connectivity in every part through various state and central funding such as annual maintenance, state road development programme (SRDP) and special assistance to states for capital investment (SASCI).
Replying to NPF MLA, Kuzholuzo Nienu, regarding equitable distribution of resources in the districts and in all the constituencies, Rio informed that the government is committed to equitable development. He also informed that for backward regions or areas, the government is striving to come up with even more resources and support so that they are able to catch up with the others at the earliest possible.
Also responding to NPF MLA, Achumbemo Kikon, regarding low level of development in the bordering areas and of low presence of security personnel, Rio stated the state has been opening police outposts and increasing their presence in the bordering areas in the past many years.
“We are also fully alive to the developmental needs of our people and the departments concerned are trying to fill up the critical gaps in infrastructure and help bring rapid development in our bordering areas,” Rio said.
Regarding human-animal conflict, Rio informed that comprehensive action plan to ameliorate the situation has been prepared and under active consideration.
On ‘War on Drugs,’ Rio stated that the police and all the departments concerned are taking action to make the state free of the scourge of drugs and narcotics.
With regard to the issue of advance GST collection raised by MLA Jwenga, he said the Finance department had discussed with all the stakeholders including the contractors’ union in the month of June 2023 and it was agreed that the arrangement of tax clearance certificate will continue with suitable modifications to simplify the process. However, he informed that the matter will be further examined and appropriate measures will be taken if required.