Principal Correspondent
KOHIMA, MAY 29
BEING in five-days in office, Chief Minister TR Zeliang today inducted jumbo-sized 24 Parliamentary Secretaries to assist in different departments, besides the 11 council of ministers appointed on May 24.
The DAN-III ministry under Neiphiu Rio had 11 cabinet ministers and 21 Parliamentary Secretaries while 15 elected members were assigned as advisers and chairmen of various public sector undertakings in the state. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the state Assembly are also from the ruling bench.
However, the new Chief Minister TR Zeliang increased the Parliamentary Secretaries to 24 taking up the DAN-III ministry to 38, including 12 Ministers, Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Having an obligation to keep the number of cabinet within 12 ministers as per the 91st Constitutional Amendment restricting appointment of cabinet ministers to 1/5th of the total number of elected members, including Chief Minister, Zeliang had inducted 24 MLAs as parliamentary secretaries, which is the highest since 2003.
Out of the 24 parliamentary secretaries, Zeliang has retained 16 of the Neiphiu Rio’s ministry. Rio had 21 parliamentary secretaries, out of which five were elevated as ministers in Zeliang ministry, who took over on May 24 last following Rio’s resignation on being elected as Lok Sabha MP.
The new Chief Minister has promoted seven chairmen and advisers while accommodating two NCP and four Independent MLAs who were holding charges of different public sector undertakings as chairmen and advisers.
Amongst those promoted as Parliamentary Secretaries include former Home Minister Dr T. M. Lotha, former minister N. Thomas Lotha and first timers Khriehu Liezietsu, Picto Shohe, Dr. Longrineken, S. Chuba Longkumer and L. Khumo Khiamniungan.
Mention may be made here that five of the Parliamentary Secretaries in Rio’s ministry were elevated as Ministers as Zeliang sacked five ministers after taking charge.
Presently under TR Zeliang, just eight more MLAs are left without a berth in cabinet or parliamentary secretaries, but sources revealed that they are also likely to be assigned chairmen and advisors of different public sector undertakings within no time.
Mention may be made here that Rio as CM had 11 Council of Ministers and 13 Parliamentary Secretaries each in DAN-I and DAN-II (2003 to 2013), but he also increased the parliamentary secretaries to 21 in 2013 under DAN-III, which ended with his resignation on May 23.
However, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kuzholuzo Nienu talking to this correspondent clarified that as per the 91st Constitutional Amendment Nagaland can have only 12 ministers, but there is no bar in appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries.
In the 60 member state Assembly, the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) has 51 with NPF as major constituent with 37 members. Pre-poll allies BJP and JD(U) has one member each while four NCP and eight Independent MLAs also joined the ruling front after the 2013 state elections. Opposition Congress has only eight members while the Northern Angami-II Assembly Constituency has been declared vacant following Rio’s resignation.
Chief Minister TR Zeliang administered the oath of office and secrecy to the parliamentary secretaries at the State Banquet Hall. But their new assignments were not released till the time of filing this report.
Chief Secretary Banuo Z. Jamir chaired the function which as attended senior NPF leaders led President Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu and representatives of BJP, JD(U) and NCP and senior bureaucrats.
Vikho-o Yhoshu
initially abstains:
Mention may be made here that though Vikho-o Yhoshu, MLA from Southern Angami-II A/C was retained and listed amongst the 24 Parliamentary Secretaries, he abstained from the swearing in ceremony today.
Replying to anxious queries from media-persons over his absence after the swearing in ceremony, Zeliang said Vikho-o could not attend due to prior engagements. Hinting at Vikho-o inclusion, the CM however said as of now 23 Parliamentary Secretaries have been inducted, while one more would be included.
Nevertheless, foreseeing possibilities of disgruntlement in Vikho-o’s absence, sources revealed that some ministers rushed to pacify him at his private residence and they did succeed.
The Oath of Office and Secrecy as Parliamentary Secretary was administered to Yhoshu by the Chief Minister, T.R. Zeliang, at the CM’s Residential Office at 6 PM.
This was done in the presence of Shri Kiyaneilie, Minister Social Welfare, Er. Levi Rengma, Deputy Speaker, Shri Lalthara, Adviser & Sr. Principle Secretary to Chief Minister and Shri Benjamin Newmai, Secretary Parliamentary Affairs Department who recorded the proceedings.
The press release from the CMO put down his absence from the ceremony in the morning, due to” unavoidable circumstances.”
Remaining MLAs: NPF: Naiba Konyak, Namri Nchang, N. Thongwang. NCP: Mhonlumo Kikon and Imtilemba Kumzuk. Independent: Amenba Yaden, Y.M Yolow Konyak, Toyang Changkong Chang.
The following Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly have been appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries to assist the Chief Minister in respect of the Departments of the government of Nagaland as shown against their names with immediate effect:
Parliamentary Secretaries Departments
1. Kejong Chang Horticulture
2. Yitachu School Education
3. Deo Nukhu Higher Education & SCERT
4. T.Torechu Housing, Excise
5. Pohwang Fire & Emergency Services, Relief & Rehabilitation
6. Pukhayi Sericulture & Cooperation
7. Neiba Kronu Planning & Coordination, Evaluation & Monitoring
8. R. Tohanba CAWD and Economic & Statistics
9. Vikho-O Yhoshu Veterinary & Animal Husbandry/LM &CP/Treasuries & Accounts
10. Shetoyi Fisheries
11. Dr. T.M. Lotha Tourism
12. P. Paiwang Konyak Transport and Information & Public Relations
13. B.S. Nganlang Land Resources & Natural Calamities
14. Zhaleo Rio Urban Development
15. Vikhehe Swu Irrigation & Flood Control & Election
16. Er. Kropol Art & Culture And Printing & Stationery
17. Tovihoto Ayemi Science & Technology, Information Technology, Technical Education
18. N. Thomas Ngullie Women Development & Border Affairs
19. Khriehu Leizietsu Youth Resources & Sport, NRE and MTF
20. Er. Picto Jail & Home Guard
21. Dr. Longrineken Labour & Employment
22. N.Jacob Zhimomi Law & Justice
23. S. Chuba Longkumer Development Authority of Nagaland and Nagaland Hotels Limited
24. L. Khumo Land Revenue , VG, DB & GB
