Kohima, March 18 (MExN): Concluding the debates and discussions on the Budget Speech, Chief Minister TR Zeliang assured that the issues raised in the discussion will be examined and proper actions will be taken.
“For the first time in history of our State and perhaps anywhere in the world we have a House that is without opposition. This unique development is more the result of a mutual understanding among ourselves of the need to come together in one mind and one accord and move single mindedly for a resolution of the long standing Naga political issue,” said TR Zeliang highlighting the formation of Nagaland Legislators’ Forum on the Naga political issue which further constituted a Parliamentary Working Committee comprising of 23 members covering all the Naga tribes and political parties including independents which is a first of its kind.
Lauding the government under his leadership which has worked with an objective of a broad based consultation process encompassing all the political groups, Zeliang stated, “We have all been working for a solution to the Naga political issue for so many years, and it would not be fair to waste this wonderful opportunity after it has reached our doorsteps.”
Asserting that speculations can be endless and unproductive, Zeliang cited the speculations of the Naga public on the outcome of the ongoing talks between NSCN (IM) and the Government of India as something that can be risky as well as dangerous. “None of us can tell with certainty at this juncture what is going to be put in place but one thing is for sure- we are all looking forward to a peaceful and lasting solution that will encompass all the Naga Political Groups, an agreement that is honorable and acceptable to all. Any settlement or solution should be inclusive,” stated Zeliang. “We are therefore pressing the Interlocutor to consult all the Naga political groups before the modalities are finalized. We are not saying that all political groups should come forward, but we have manifested our seriousness by sending tribal leaders to meet SS Khaplang to convey the desire of this House and the people that all NPGs should come together for a final solution.”
The CM appealed to all Administrative Heads and Head of Departments to be truthful while preparing non-plan expenditure, such as salaries, pensions, TA/DA leave encashment etc. While the budget for Plan expenditure is understood by all, non-plan is not equally visible and understood by public and will require more transparent and truth, said Zeliang. “Since we all want to have more funds for developmental activities, we should carefully check and reduce unnecessary non-plan expenditure since there is now no more boundary between plan and non-plan.”
The CM also addressed few points on issue raised by Yitachu on savings under salary. “Budgeting is a continuous process and is subject to revision. As such salary provisions made in the budget estimate do undergo changes in the revised estimates. The requirement of funds whether under salary or non-salary components are assessed for each demand to the extent the availability of resources permits,” mentioned Zeliang.
On Yitachu’s comment on the failure of the State in utilizing the CSS schemes and funds, Zeliang clarified that the State share to CSS is a part of the total plan allocation which is decided by the State Planning Board after due consideration of resources available. Based on the actual requirement of each scheme, funds are released to the department to the extent required inclusive of State share available within the Plan allocation approved by the State.
The CM also informed that the number of government employees- 1,19,339- are based on the figures submitted by the departments. The number of work charge employees and employees of PSUs and boards are not mentioned (because they are not regular employees) as well as the 4652 employees under the flagship program such as SSA, RMSA and Hindi Teachers.
