KOHIMA, AUGUST 22 (DIPR): State Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio said that constitution of a Standing Committee of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly is being proposed to fully give effect to the special provisions contained under Article 371 –A (1) (a) of the Indian Constitution. This was stated by the Chief Minister on the first day of the Twelfth Session of the House today at Kohima.
Moving a resolution for the same, Neiphiu Rio stated that the state government endeavours to uphold the Naga dignity and honour through such an ‘empowered’ committee. The Committee would scrutinize acts of Parliament including amendment of Constitution for application to State of Nagaland under Article 371 – A (1) (a) of the Constitution.
Neiphiu Rio stated that the history of Nagaland is unique, particularly the history of its evolution as a state in the Union of India.
The Chief Minister noted that Article 371 – A, more particularly Clause (1) (a) is a fundamental Constitutional law regulating the special federal relations between the State and the Union. Parliament has since passed several Acts in the past with none of them being scrutinised by the State Government for knowing their impact on Article 371-A (1) (a). He also said that so far the state does not have any mechanism to identify those Acts of Parliament that shall not be applied to the State of Nagaland.
The Standing Committee would be constituted for the whole tenure of each Assembly, through a provision in the Rules and Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Legislative Assembly, for scrutinizing and reporting upon the existing Acts of Parliament that may be made from time to time. It would include Acts of Parliament amending the Constitution of India to see if those Acts of Parliament impinge on any of the subjects listed under Article 371 – A (1) (a).
The Standing Committee may recommend to the State Legislature those Acts of Parliament which may be applicable to the state of Nagaland by following the procedures outlined in the said constitutional provision.
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