Removal of the Planning Commission will ‘negate the special provisions enshrined under Article 371’
KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 28 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee held its general session today at Congress Bhavan, Kohima with Dr K Jayakumar, Secretary, AICC, I/C Nagaland.
A press note from the NPCC reported Dr Jayakumar as stating that removal of the Planning Commission will “negate the special provisions enshrined under Article 371 affecting Nagaland among others as the funding under such provisions was being met by allocations as decided by the Planning Commission.”
He added that the Niti Ayog is a mere instrument of PM Modi’s “economic dictatorship...” Dr. Jayakumar said this was the reason Congress lost the Government in Arunachal Pradesh, and said other Chief Ministers would be facing the same difficulties and thus it is imperative that Congress returns to power at the centre to safeguard the special provisions of the Constitution for the North East and for minorities. “Without Congress, liberty, equality and fraternity will die”, he said.
Dr. Jayakumar further stated that the Congress party in the state is streamlined and has been made a party with a realistic approach. He highlighted the need for the right strategy to fight the elections, and assured that he would appraise the AICC for all round support.
NPCC President K. Therie meanwhile said that the NPCC stands stronger and united. He touched on the NPCC Roadmap and urged the rank and file of the party, particularly the DCCs to reach the vision of the Congress to the people. He said Congress would give the people the choice of peace, progress and development over ruin, corruption and bribe.
Speaking on the topic, ‘Special provisions with respect to Nagaland’, Khriedi Theünuo, Vice President, NPCC said that while many talk of the provisions of Art 371A and the 16-Point Agreement, the clauses therein are often not addressed. Maintaining that many clauses within such special provisions have been fulfilled, Theünuo said that there are some clauses which have also not been fulfilled.
On a similar note, he said that while NPCC enjoys functional autonomy as assured in the 10-Point Modalities signed with the INC, he urged the leaders of AICC to honour and respect the fulfilment of the other special provisions therein.
He stated that the unfulfilled clauses needed to be taken up and urged the gathering to join hands in the endeavour. Also addressing the programme, Jarjum Ete, Gen Secy, AIMCC I/c NE said she joined the INC despite being a women activist as it was the Congress which had initiated the inclusion of all walks of society including women, through the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments. Ete appealed to all rank and file of the party to gear up for the forthcoming elections by identifying women candidates and to ensure the optimal use of women reservation.
Loitongbam Tilottama, President, Manipur Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee also appreciated the implementation of women reservation and challenged the womenfolk to participate positively in the electoral process.
