DIMAPUR, MARCH 11 (MExN): Lone Lok Sabha member from Nagaland, W Wangyuh Konyak, in his recent speech in Parliament asked the Centre to give Nagaland the status of Jammu and Kashmir as both states “were unique and of the same nature with constitutional rights under Article 370 and 371 (A).” Speaking on the budget passed by the Centre recently, he said that with the signing of the 16-point agreement between the Government of India and the Naga Peoples Convention, the Union government had agreed upon a lump sum provision for Nagaland, a release said.
However, only Jammu and Kashmir has come under the special provision with Central Assistance amounting to Rs 1300 crores. Though Nagaland is getting some amount, it is too meager an amount worth mentioning, the MP said. He therefore called upon the Finance Minister to ensure ‘Special Central Assistance’ for Nagaland as it was the only state which “got it’s statehood through bloodshed.” He also appealed for the release of committed amounts against Nagaland.
On the issue of road transport, Wangyuh, while pointing out that the Finance Ministry had proposed Rs 9945 Crores in 2006- 2007 for National Highway Development Program, said extra preference should be given to Nagaland as it is a landlocked state with no waterways or railways apart from Dimapur railway station. On the Accelerated Road Development Programme, the MP said the Centre should identify the roads and then direct the states to prepare the Detailed Project Reports and ensure completion of woks within two financial years.
He said the deduction of 10% for development of North East Region from all ministries was sadly only in speech and in paper. On the topic of the DONER Ministry, the MP said “there was confusion amongst the Ministers and Ministers of State and that there was also confusion on the 10% contribution to DONER.
He also touched on the subject of Rural Infrastructure Development Fund and called for the removal of the practice of issuing Restricted Area Permits to foreign tourists.
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