Nagaland state govt seeks approval for withdrawal of Rs 3523.58 Cr from Consolidate Fund of Nagaland
Kohima, March 21 (DIPR): Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, who is also in charge of Finance, today sought approval from the house for withdrawal of Rs. 3523.58 Crore from the Consolidated Fund of Nagaland state, in order to defray the expenses of the state government. He did this on the second day of the ongoing session of the NLA, while placing the vote on account for 2014-15.
On the Naga Political issue, Rio admitted that it continues to elude a solution despite best efforts. However, he mentioned that serious efforts were made to persuade the Union Government for taking concrete steps to solve the Naga Political issue and was hopeful that the issue will gain due priority, after the ensuing Parliamentary Elections.
Highlighting the finances of the state, Rio reminded about the fixation of plan size for Nagaland state (2013-14) at Rs 2000 Crores by the Planning Commission. This is inclusive of normal funding of North Eastern states, usually received under DONER and NEC. Such inclusion of NEC funds and NLCPR funds to the state’s plan outlay has never been done before and hence there were strong objections by all the NE states. In view of the objections, the Planning Commission assured for a mid-term review of the state’s plan allocations in the month of September to October 2013. However no such exercise has been taken by the Planning Commission, Rio regretted.
The Chief Minister affirmed the decision of the State Government to go ahead with the implementation of all projects initiated under the special development package from the state’s own flexible plan funds in stages, whether the central government releases the fund or not.
In his presentation, Rio said that emphasis has been given to the social service sectors by making the best use of the meager state plan allocation. The central government’s unilateral abrogation of the practices of covering the BCR gap of the state government on annual basis, through additional Central Plan Grants since the year 1989-90, leading to growing budget deficits since then, has been brought to the notice of the Commission, Rio informed.
Rio also mentioned that the Finance Commission has been apprised of some special requirements and state specific programmes, amounting to Rs 1394.97 Crores for implementation through special grants during the period from 2015-16 to 2019-20.
Commenting on the Hornbill Festival and emergence of Nagaland as a tourist destination, Rio expressed optimism that the tourism sector would see growth in the coming years, providing a boost to income generation and employment in the service sector.
Rio further announced that Nagaland will be participating in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tatoo 2014, which he said would expose Nagaland to an international audience.
He further informed that the 2014 edition of the Handshake Concert is being planned to be held in Myanmar and expressed confidence that Naga youth would be positive ambassadors of Naga culture and contribute towards friendship and better ties. He went on to say that the participation of the Northeast India Academy of Performing Arts at New York Fashion Week 2014 was a significant moment for all the Nagas.
In the field of sports, Rio pointed out that sportspersons from the state have excelled at the national and international levels, and cited Nagaland winning three medals at the 14th Senior Boxing Championship, the National Veteran Badminton Championship 2014 and the two veterans from Nagaland representing India at the World Veteran Badminton Championship held in Turkey.
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