Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio addresses a consultative meeting on the Naga political issue held in Kohima on October 15, 2020. (DIPR File Photo)
‘NLA stands united in one voice for lasting peace’
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 6
Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio today asserted that while statehood transformed the destiny of the people, “the Indo-Naga political issue remains unresolved.”
“It is important to note that the State Government, and for that matter all of us, we are not a direct party to the talks and the negotiations, we are only a facilitator and we are making our best efforts to play a proactive and contributory role for an early solution,” he stated in his budget speech at 6th session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) on March 6.
He also highlighted that to give further impetus to this issue, the Political Affairs Committee was constituted and resolved to hold consultations on the Naga Political Issue, with the representatives of apex and tribal organisations and civil society organisations in its meeting on August 28, 2024.
‘This House, and every Member of this Assembly, stands united in one voice for lasting peace,’ Dr Rio asserted.
To this end he called for setting aside political differences and come together for the greater cause of unity and reconciliation.
“Today, we once again urge all negotiating parties to make every effort to conclude the negotiations with a settlement that is honourable, inclusive and acceptable to the people,” he added.
Stating that the voices of “our brothers and sisters in the eastern regions have been clearly heard,” the Chief Minister said that the State Government is “resolutely committed” to addressing their concerns with sincere action and working closely with stakeholders and Central Government to bring out a solution.
The State cabinet deliberated on the issue of Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) on the October 30, 2023 and thereafter forwarded its comments on the third Draft Memorandum of Settlement on FNTA on November 6, 2024 to the Union Home Ministry, he highlighted.
Meanwhile, Dr Rio informed that the Sixteenth Finance Commission visited Nagaland from November 4-6, 2024, during which the state government had submitted a Memorandum seeking a substantial Revenue Deficit Grant to cover committed revenue expenditures.
“Given our revenue constraints, we also requested Capital Deficit Grants to support developmental activities. Additionally, we urged the Commission to waive the mandatory property tax requirement for
ULB grants due to Nagaland’s unique landholding system under Article 371(A) and also sought State Specific Grants for key development projects,” he added.
