Nagaland Principal Secretary, Law & Justice, Y Kikheto Sema with Union Minister for Law & Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal at Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi on May 26. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima, May 26 (MExN): Principal Secretary for Law and Justice Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS, met with Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal in New Delhi on Monday, reiterating key requests previously raised during the Minister’s visits to the state in October 2024 and April 2025.
During the meeting at Shastri Bhavan, Sema requested an increase in the quota of Notary Publics in Nagaland from the current 200 to 400 under Rule 8(4A) of the Notaries Rules, 1956. He pointed out that the existing quota, fixed at the time of Nagaland’s statehood in 1963, was based on just three districts and a population of 3.7 lakhs. The state now has 20 districts and an estimated population of 22.58 lakhs, substantially increasing the demand for notarial services.
Union Minister Meghwal, along with Additional Secretary (Legal Affairs) Ashutosh Mishra, assured that the proposal would be given due consideration and that an amendment to the Rules could be expected within two months.
Sema also pressed for central assistance for the construction of the state’s High Court building, highlighting that Nagaland may be the only state yet to receive central funding for such a project. He stated that although the Nagaland government has already spent Rs. 242 crore, an additional Rs. 299 crore is required to complete it. Meghwal noted that the issue has been taken up with the Ministry of Finance and expressed hope that it would be considered in the current financial year.
In addition, Sema requested central support for constructing new District Courts at Nuiland, Tseminyu, and Shamator, where land acquisition has recently been approved by the state government. He also appealed for the early release of funds for ongoing District Court constructions at Mon and Noklak, as well as for other district-level legal infrastructure projects.
Union Minister Meghwal, accompanied by Joint Secretary (Justice) Gaurav Masaldan, assured that the proposals would be taken into consideration, subject to the completion of necessary procedures and compliance with the SNA-SPARSH system introduced by the Government of India for releasing Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) funds.
