Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 27
Three Government bills have been introduced on the second day of the fourth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly in Kohima.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio moved for introduction of Government Bill on “The Nagaland Goods and Services Tax (Eight Amendment) Bill, 2023.” In statement of objects and reasons, Rio stated that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been implemented with effect from July 1, 2017.
The GST consists of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and the State Goods and Services Tax (SGST). The Central Government has amended the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 to provide more clarity regarding taxability of casinos, horse racing and online gaming. State Governments have to affect corresponding amendments in the State Goods and Services Tax Act.
As the Legislative Assembly was not in session and the matter was urgent, the Governor of Nagaland, in exercise of powers conferred under clause (1) of Article 213 of the Constitution of India, promulgated the Nagaland Goods and Services Tax (Eight Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 on 6th October 2023 which was notified in the Nagaland Gazette Extraordinary.
The Nagaland Goods and Services Tax (Eight. Amendment) Bill, 2023 will make the Nagaland Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 more comprehensive and trade friendly.
Govt bill on Nagaland Salaries,
Allowances & other facilities
Nagaland’s parliamentary affairs minister KG Kenye moved for introduction of Government bill on the “The Nagaland Salaries, Allowances & other Facilities of the Chief Minister, Speaker, Deputy Chief Minister/ Ministers, Leader of Opposition, Deputy Speaker and other Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and Pension for Ex-Members (Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2024.
In statement of object, Kenye stated that the Salaries and Allowances are governed by the Nagaland Salaries, Allowances and other Facilities of the Chief Minister, Speaker, Deputy Chief Minister/Ministers, Leader of Opposition, Deputy Speaker and other Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and Pension for Ex-Members Bill, (Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2024.
The Salaries are revisable as per Section 8 of the Bill and as recommended by the House Committee of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
The House Committee with the Speaker as the Chairman in its meeting on l 7th August, 2023 had recommended Revision of the Nagaland Salaries, Allowances and other Facilities of the Chief Minister, Speaker, Deputy Chief Minister/Ministers. Leader of Opposition, Deputy Speaker and other Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and Pension for Ex-Members (Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2024. Accordingly, the present Bill the Nagaland Salaries, Allowances and other Facilities of the Chief Minister, Speaker, Deputy Chief Minister/Ministers, Leader of Opposition, Deputy Speaker and other Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and Pension for Ex-Members (Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2024 is drawn up with the concurrence of the Finance Department and Administrative approval, Kenye stated.
In financial statement, Kenye stated that the Section 3(1) and Section 4(1) read with Section 7 and Schedule I, II, III, IV & V provides for revision of the Salaries, Allowances and other Facilities of the Chief Minister, Speaker, Deputy Chief Minister/Ministers, Leader of Opposition, Deputy Speaker and other Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and Pension for Ex-Members.
On account of the increase in Salaries, Allowances and other Facilities of the Chief Minister, Speaker, Deputy Chief Minister/Ministers, Leader of Opposition, Deputy Speaker and other Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and Pension for Ex-Members (Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2024, the total financial implication will be Rs 1701.51 lakhs per year, the parliamentary affairs minister stated.
‘Establishment of Private University Bill, 2024’
Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along moved for introduction of “The Establishment of Private University Bill, 2024.”
Considering the growing need for quality facilities in the State's Higher Education system to cater to the growing number of students, the State Government, considers it necessary to formulate a guideline to provide a stable policy and institutional framework to encourage private investment in the State with an emphasis on the guiding principles of access. equity and quality in the higher education sector.
In statement of objects and reason, Temjen stated that the Bill for setting up of Private Universities in Nagaland is expected to provide a stable environment and a level playing field to private players in the State.
“It is intended to encourage private investment in the higher education in a well-regulated and transparent manner. The Bill for establishment and incorporation of private universities in the State for imparting higher education and to regulate their functions and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto. Taking into due consideration, the expectations and aspirations of the people of the state, "the Guidelines for Establishment of Private University Act, 2024", is hereby proposed through this Bill, the minister stated.
Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) speaker Sharingain Longkumer informed that consideration and passing of the bills will be taken up on February 29.
