Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 14
Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang today said the monsoon session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) concluded successfully by passing some government bills.
He said that few bills were introduced in the House and passed unanimously without any controversy. Clarifying for the people ‘questioning’ the duration of the assembly session with reference to first day, which lasted for 15 minutes, Zeliang clarified that assembly or parliament consumed time only in question hour or if there is controversy in passing the bills.
“But, here, fortunately we have no opposition. We have asked MLAs to put question if they want clarification. When they don’t put question the government cannot raise the question,” he said, while addressing a press conference here today.
When there is no question there is no discussion, he said, adding that is how the duration of the assembly proceeding is reduced, sometimes to 30 minutes or 50 minutes. We should say this is the most peaceful assembly in the country, he noted. In this, he said people should be happy and appreciate that the session concluded smoothly.
Stating that the short duration of assembly does not mean there is no business. He said, “Business is there but there is no fighting and there is no argument. Whatever we do we are doing with consensus.”
He also mentioned that the public can file RTIs if they feel important issues were left out. On being asked about the allegations in the Departments like Health & Family Welfare, Social Security & Welfare, Education etc., the Chief Minister replied that some petitioners have filed cases in the court against some departments and that the Government cannot decide on such issues unless the court gives its verdict.
Cabinet to write to Home Ministry to withdraw DAA
The Government of India (GoI) on July 30 had extended the Disturbed Area Act (DAA) for another six months. During the post-Assembly press conference, concerns were raised on the government’s seriousness in tackling the issue to which Zeliang responded that a Cabinet meeting was held recently on the extension of DAA and that the Cabinet has decided to write to the Home Ministry to withdraw the Act. Acknowledging that Nagaland is a peaceful state and people are happy, TR Zeliang expressed concern over the extension of DAA which further empowers the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
On 33 percent reservation
“A lot of funds are not reaching us because of the delay in municipal elections,” said Zeliang during a brief discussion on the 33 percent reservation for women in Nagaland. Women organizations had rejected the 25% reservation offered, mentioned the CM while remarking that the cabinet will contemplate on the issues and decide soon whether to hold election or wait for the verdict passed by the Supreme Court.
Non-payment of Teachers’ Salary
When a media person raised the question on the delay of salaries of RMSA teachers where it was also alleged that the teachers were made to sign a bond stating that they will not agitate for the next few months even if their salaries were not paid, the Chief Minister passed the buck to the Central Government. Unless the Centre provides funds for the schemes on time, timely payment cannot be done, stated Zeliang adding that if the flagship program ends, the funds will also stop. For flagship programs like RMSA and SSA, Zeliang informed the employees under these schemes are bound to be co-terminated along with the projects and schemes.
National Food Security Act
Chief Minister said that National Food Security Act was launched for Kohima and Dimapur because the government could complete the process in only those two districts. The food grain has reached on Wednesday. He said the government is also trying to cover remaining districts by August. He called for cooperation from the people and officers for effective implementation of this Act so that 100% of the commodities reach the people.
Fuel adulteration issue
Chief Minister said the fuel adulteration issue has been brought to the knowledge of the government and police has registered a case and it is under investigation. He said that when the investigation report comes, and if anyone is found guilty, the government will take action according to the law.
No more contract appointments
The Chief Minister said that the cabinet discussed the issue of backdoor appointment on June 6 and decided to totally ban it from June 6, 2016, onwards. He stated that appointments done before June 6 will follow the previous system where a contract appointee could be regularized on completion of three years of service. He also mentioned that NPSC and the departments should look after the retirements of the government employees beforehand and requisition the posts for recruitment even before the retirement date. He also maintained that the non-NPSC jobs will follow proper channel of recruitment. “Without post no one is allowed to appoint anybody,” he said.
SARDP four-laning of NH-29
On delay in completion of four lane SARDP roads in the State, the Chief Minister said the court has directed the government to accept the updated DPR of Maytas-Gayatri while the government has nominated a Commissioner to look after the SARDP projects. He also mentioned that the updated DPR has increased to Rs. 3500 crore from around Rs. 1200 crore.
On the demand for giving works to local contractors for four-laning of NH-29, Zeliang said that no local contractors were found to be qualified for the contract work even as the Union MoRTH divided the projects into smaller works and therefore construction of NH-29 was allotted to outside companies.
Citing the example of Japanese and American companies undertaking road constructions in Delhi where the companies also maintain the roads by collecting toll tax for a certain period, he said in order to have good roads the attitude of the landowners and the local contractors have to be changed towards timely and quality completion of works. (With inputs from DIPR)
NLA Assembly adjourned session sine die
Two-day session lasts for a combined time of 49 minutes
Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 14
Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker Chotisuh Sazo today adjourned the 12th session of the 12th NLA sine die after completing all transactions enlisted for the day.
Today’s assembly proceeding lasted for 34 minutes. The opening day of the session on July 12 lasted for 15 minutes. In all the 12th session of the 12th NLA proceedings lasted for a total of 49 minutes.
The House passed Supplementary Demand for Grants for Regularization of Excess Expenditure for the year 2011- 2012 which was presented by Chief Minister TR Zeliang on July 12.
The House also passed St. Joseph Catholic University Nagaland Bill, 2016. It was moved by Parliamentary Secretary for Higher & Technical Education Deo Nukhu and the same was introduced on July 12 last.
Further, the Nagaland salaries, allowances and other facilities of the Chief Minister, other Ministers, Speaker, Leader of Opposition, Deputy Speaker, other members of the NLA/Parliamentary Secretary & Pension for Ex-Members (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2016 was also passed by the House.
This Bill, moved by Minister for Social Security & Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs, Kiyanilie Peseyie, was introduced by the House on July 12 last.
The House also passed Nagaland Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2016 which was moved by Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang. Earlier, Chief Minister tabled Nagaland Department of Underdeveloped Areas (DUDA) Service Rules, 2016.
