Members of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly redeemed the prestige of the house when the voice of the opposition rang loud and clear and flooring the treasury bench during the debate on the budget which began at around 10.30 a.m. Monday and went on till 9.30 p.m.
This can be compared with another dubious distinction of the 12th NLA which completed business within 15 minutes because all were in the treasury bench. Several NPF members took on the government on various issues indicating that they had come prepared which bodes well for the state. The Cut Motions introduced by the opposition NPF on 16 departments was later reject by voice vote.
Nagaland Assembly on Monday passed the state’s Rs 18,315.76-crore budget for fiscal 2018-19. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio who also holds the finance portfolio, moved for passing the Appropriation Bill No.2 by saying that he would not be giving a detailed explanation on the deficit figures as contained in the budget speech but would welcome any member seeking clarification.
Taking this issue, leader of the opposition T.R. Zeliang pointed out the discrepancy between the budget deficit figure as mentioned in the Governor’s speech at Rs.1657.88 crore as against the deficit figure mentioned presented by chief minister Neiphiu Rio at Rs.1630.67 crore.
Zeliang categorically stated that the figures of projected budget deficit as given in the Governor’s speech on March 22 and the Chief Minister’s budget speech on March 23 were misleading.
He also reiterated that he had inherited a deficit of Rs.1234 during the year 2014-15 when he took over as chief minister from Rio.
In response, chief minister Neiphiu Rio said that the deficit during 2014-15 when he left office was Rs.950 crore and he was not responsible for its increase to Rs.1234 crore. Zeliang asserted that when he presented the full budget in July 2014, the projected deficit for 2014-15 was Rs 1,252.45 crore and that, as such, it was factually wrong to say that the budget deficit at Rs 950.09 crore as on March 31, 2014 had skyrocketed to Rs 1,657.88 crore as on March 31, 2018.
Zeliang responded by saying that the deficit of Rs.1234 crore in 2014-15 was the reconciled figure with the centre as well as RBI and therefore demanded that the fact should be corrected.
The opposition leader also reminded the house that from a surplus budget of Rs 18.47 crore in 2003-04, the deficit had increased to Rs 1,234 crore as on March 31, 2014, which was a yearly average deficit of Rs 112.18 crore. After he took over from Rio, Zeliang said he had presented a deficit budget of Rs 1,252.45 crore in July 2014 since his government had inherited an accumulated deficit of Rs 1,234 crore.
Zeliang said for the implementation of the RoP-2017 an additional amount of Rs. 178.24 crores was provided, thereby from the negative opening balance of Rs 1607.73 crores for the year 2018-19, the accumulated deficits was Rs. 1234 (after subtraction) as on March 31, 2014 and the additional amount of Rs 178.24 crores for RoP 2017, and actual deficit of his government from 2014-15 till 2017-18, was Rs 195.49 crores with a yearly average deficit of Rs 48.97 crores.
He said he needed to clarify because of the misleading and politically motivated statements about the deficit figures as given in the governor’s speech as well as the budget speech delivered by leader of the House, who is also the Finance minister. The Appropriation Bill No.2 was then put to vote and passed through voice vote as the opposition refused to withdraw the cut motions.
Meanwhile, NLA speaker Vikho-o Yhoshu, after conducting all businesses of the first session of the 13the NLA Budget Session, adjourned the house sine die on Monday night.
Budget session highlights
Participating in the general discussion on the budget Monday afternoon, opposition member, Imkong L. Imchen reminded the PDA government that the opposition party would closely monitor the government’s implementation of their promises.
According to a DIPR report, agreeing on the need to address the discrepancies in the electric billing system, Imchen urged the government to honestly implement the online billing system.
On Higher and Technical Education, Imchen urged the government to set up a Government Law College and upgrade the Atoizu Polytecnic into a full-fledged engineering college.
He pointed out that the upgradation was approved by the cabinet in 2007, lamenting that nothing had been done yet after a lapse of more than 10 years. He also pointed out the need to set up a medical college in the state at the earliest.
Advisor, Irrigation and flood control, Namri Nchang expressed hope that the budget would boost the morale of the people and serve the interests of the masses. Referring to the stipulated time target set for completion of road and other projects, he called the budget one of the best. He further expressed hope that areas which were earlier left unattended would be given due attention under the new leadership.
NPF MLA, Chotisuh Sazo in his speech questioned the status of the advisors appointed and voiced concern over the atrocities committed against Christians, besides the making of significant events collide with working days.
While appreciating the government for the concern expressed on the Naga Political Issue, he said there was a need to rope in all parties for making the solution a reality. “While removing the VIP culture, we cannot forget the security of members” he stated, referring to the recent decision of the cabinet to do away with the culture.
On the proposed mini hornbill festival to be organized in various districts, Sazo suggested organizing an agri and farmers fair in its stead to benefit farmers and the rural populace. He called the budget ‘unfortunate’ on account of the meagre funds allocated to the agri and allied sector on which 72% of the state population relied. He questioned why only the ENPO areas should be focussed on leaving other backward areas behind. On scarcity of water at various places, he lamented that the budget did not give any emphasize or focus on its supply.
Agriculture and Cooperation minister, G. Kaito Aye appreciated the budget, calling it broad based. “Not 60 but the entire population of the State with 60 likeminded MLAs coming together can bring the solution” he stated. He further appealed to the ENPO MLAs to judiciously use the allocated funds for their areas and properly implement the projects sanctioned.
Opposition member, Dr. Ngangshi in his speech spoke on the need to review and change our approach to bring a solution to the Naga Political Issue. “We cannot only be facilitators, but stakeholders to the issue”, he maintained. Questioning if anyone has done any cost evaluation of the Hornbill Festival, and if the income generated was commensurate with the expenditure incurred, he suggested modifying it, opposing the government’s decision to organize mini hornbill festivals in various districts. He criticised the budget statement as unclear.
The need for special focus of the ENPO areas should not merely be on paper but should be delivered in all honestly, stated NPF MLA, C.L John participating in the discussion. Alongside coffee plantation, he suggested also taking up cardamom farming, especially in the cold areas of the state.
PHE minister, Jacob Zhimomi, in his speech appreciated the decision of the government to introduce Modern Information Technology, maintaining that manual functioning should be minimized.
He called the decision of the government for a new sports policy in the state as a long time need which would provide many new opportunities for youth.
Opposition member Dr. Imtiwapang Aier, while appreciating the idea of implementing meritocracy in the state said “It’ll be very unfortunate for all of us if it remains only in the paper and is not implemented”. He criticised the proposal to organize mini hornbill festival saying that crores of rupees were spent in the past years but a revenue of only few lakhs was generated. Instead he suggested shortening the 10 day Hornbill festival.
Imtiwapang said the goal for achieving food for all lacked a focal point since no specification of allocation for farmers was made, he also questioned the approach taken by the government to help the young farmers. On Gender Equality, Imtiwapang said “until and unless we implement 33% reservation for women we can’t achieve the change we want”.
Imtiwapang suggested revamping of the Revenue Policy of the state since NITI Ayog is based on the policy of giving funds according to the revenue generated by the states. He added that the Budget should be based on providing more for the grassroot levels.
Opposition member Yitachu said the Budget presented created more confusion instead of highlighting the policies of the government. Peace and development will not come as long as the Solution remains outside the reach of the people, he said. He took a dig saying that by electing 12 BJP members, it showed how desperate the Nagas are for a solution.
Yitachu assured of support from the Opposition on the use of Biometrics for Government employees and Setting up of the Public Grievances Cell. On the Holy Land tour, he suggested developing pilgrimage places in the State like Molungyimsen, Molungkimong among others.
Advisor for School Education, K. Tokugha Sukhalu said although stopping percentage system, implementing e-tender and e-payment were good policies, the execution part would be challenging. Though there were fund constraints, Sukhalu was optimistic that the rapport of the chief minister with the Centre could help bring funds.
While assuring that he would cleanse the School Education department, Sukhalu said criticizing the Government even before the start of execution of work was “unbecoming of leaders.”
Opposition member E.E. Pangteang said instead of Holy Land tours and excursions, the focus should be on other areas like roads and connectivity. He also mentioned that if the Government desired to shut down non-performing PSUs, a special committee should be set up first to study them.
Opposition MLA, Vikheho Swu said the collapse of bridges all over the state was because of non-maintenance, and also, almost all the bridges were past their life spans. He further suggested that SBI branches be set up in Sub-Divisions. “I’m expecting miracles to happen in the Sub-Divisions and give them their due share of development” he added.
NPF member, Dr. Chumben Murry compared Nagaland and Mizoram, both being Christian states with many similarities but Mizoram had a surplus budget unlike Nagaland. He cautioned that the 26 opposition members would be watchdogs over transparency, meritocracy and check of corruption. He further said that if the Government was serious about organic farming in the state a State Organic Planning Policy should be framed.
Opposition MLA, Muthingyuba Sangtam advocated for review of the policy of DUDA since only minor works were undertaken under it and he also stressed on good road connectivity to villages in Eastern Nagaland. He added that a committee should be set up to check the unemployment issue in the State.
Leader of the opposition, T.R. Zeliang, while appreciating the government’s decision to implement the new insurance scheme for students studying outside the state, questioned how it was to be implemented. He further questioned whether the scheme was a central or state funded scheme and if the students would have to pay any fee when registering for it.
On the power sector, Zeliang expressed hope that the People’s Democratic Alliance would sincerely continue the reforms that had been brought about by the previous government. He thanked the Leader of the House for recognizing the contributions and achievement of his government in coffee plantation. Calling on the Leader of the House to look back and see on how the state had improved in the organic sector, Zeliang urged the government to take necessary decisions to declare Nagaland an Organic State.
On Law and Order situation, Zeliang appealed to the government to strictly implement law and justice. He was referring to the recent incidences of life attempts at Dimapur the commercial hub of the state. The act of life attempts on the citizens are attempts to murder the spirit of ease of doing business he said, calling on the law enforcing agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Responding to opposition members, chief minister Neiphiu Rio maintained that organizing Hornbill festival was not a waste of resources or time, since it promoted the colourful culture of the Nagas. “Innovation and vibrancy of our youth has added beauty to the festival.” he Said.
On the doing away with VIP culture, Rio said name plates were being used even by people at the village level which was false pride. He clarified that if members went through Assam, escorts would be provided. He mentioned that a Works Programme was not brought out because of a change in the funding pattern ever since the system had been changed to NITI Ayog, however, he added, every work programme will be shown in the website.
Replying to opposition member, Kuzholuzo Nienu’s statement on the first day that files should not be held in the finance department for cuts, Rio said no files were kept in the finance department after he took over as the Chief Minister. He also added that this time the budget outlay for development was the highest since statehood.