Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 22
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said the DAN government has spared no effort in securing funds to implement the 6th ROP for the state government employees. Presenting the budget this morning, the Chief Minister said even before the 6th Central Pay Commission, the state government had written to the 13th Finance Commission in July 2008 asking for advice regarding the manner in which the additional requirement of funds for revised salary should be projected. Since then, he said the state government had repeatedly written to the Prime Minister, the Union Finance Minister, the Planning Commission and 13th Finance Commission expressing its concern and need for additional funds. He said he had personally met the concerned authorities to discuss the issue on several occasions.
“We have knocked on all doors and left no stone unturned,” he said adding “despite getting no special assistance from the 13th Finance Commission we have stood by our decision to implement the new ROP with the help of the Government of India.”
Stating that this was possible only by the central government hiking the Special Plan Assistance which is untied to specific projects, he expressed satisfaction that the state government could cover the salary expenditure of not only the 6th ROP earlier effected from 1..4.2010 but also the additional cost of giving notional effect of the ROP from gesture of goodwill.
He also reminded that the government has decided to give one month’s salary arrears in additional to this. Giving notional effect will also benefit those who have retired during the last two years, he said adding this will cost about Rs. 80 crore while the month’s salary arrear will cost Rs. 43 crores.
The Chief Minister placed on record the state’s gratitude to the Prime Minister, Union Finance Minister and the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission for appreciating the state’s difficulties, particularly its requirement on account of salary revision and generously considering its requests. H also particularly expressed profound gratitude to the Governor of Nagaland for his intervention on the state’s behalf.
