During the second day of the second session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, discussions on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address saw active participation from several members.
Initiating the discussion, NDPP member KT Sukhalu stressed on resolving the political issues, and calledupon all parties to come and work together.
While expressing appreciation for the significant improvements and developments in the education sector, he also urged the government to contemplate mandating training appointments for all officers across departments lacking field learning experiences in administrative and policy matters, particularly in School Education and Higher Education. He highlighted the disadvantage faced by such officers when promoted to administrative posts within the Directorate. Additionally, he recommended enhanced management of traffic and crowds for future Hornbill Festival celebrations. Minister for PWD (H&ME) P. Bashangmongba Chang commended the government’s progress in the agriculture sector and the passing of the Municipal Act 2023 and also the swift response on the issue of FMR.
NPF Legislator Kuzholuzo Nienu emphasized the urgency for the assembly to engage in a sincere discussion on the Naga Political Issue. He criticized the Centre for what he perceived as attempts to divide the Nagas and questioned the lack of progress towards a solution despite the conclusion of talks. Nienu urged a reflection on the sacrifices made by Naga forefathers for sovereignty, emphasizing that their struggle was not for economic packages or easy settlements but for sovereignty alone. He advocated for a “return to the original stand on sovereignty”, believing that only then would India and the world take the Nagas seriously and a solution would materialize. Nienu also called for the leader of the house to allocate one or two days for gathering the opinions of every member on the Naga Political Issue in the next Assembly session.
NCP Legislator Picto Shohe proposed the establishment of a government music institute, acknowledging the success of music in Nagaland.
BJP legislator Imkong L Imchen addressed the need to reconcile differences and voiced support for the Free Movement Regime (FMR), emphasizing the importance of defined borders for every nation. He underscored the ongoing challenge posed by the unresolved Naga political issue, which hampers development and welfare initiatives.
Imchen stressed the collective desire for a conclusive resolution and urged all stakeholders to work together to formulate a final solution through compromise. Regarding the FMR issue, he highlighted the essential components of a state, including population, government, and boundaries. Imchen emphasized the necessity of a clear boundary on India’s Eastern front and mentioned ongoing efforts to establish one. Despite the current lack of a defined boundary, he reiterated the government’s commitment to achieving clarity on this matter. NPP Legislator A Nyamnyei Konyak emphasized the importance of prioritizing the Agriculture, Horticulture, and Veterinary sectors, stressing the need for soil testing and the implementation of well-planned strategies to support farmers and improve animal husbandry practices. He urged the relevant departments to provide assistance and guidance to farmers for better farming outcomes.
Konyak requested the members of the house to extend support to the department of Power to ensure that there is no shortage of electricity in Nagaland. He also urged the concerned department to expedite the completion of the Medical college in Mon. Furthermore, he highlighted the pressing need to address the issue of drug and alcohol abuse by enforcing strict regulations among personnel. He also called for a solution to the traffic problems in Kohima.
NPF Legislator Achumbemo Kikon MLA emphasized the party’s commitment to resolving the Naga political issue and advocated for the inclusion of village authorities in the Free Movement Regime (FMR) framework. He expressed disagreement with Imchen’s support for the FMR, arguing that the Naga people are not divided without their consent. Kikon asserted that the NPF party does not endorse such language and denounced the notion of implementing the FMR. He highlighted the historical context of the Naga movement, which predates India’s independence, and emphasized the unresolved nature of the political issue. Additionally, Kikon called for the strengthening of sports quotas to promote sportsmanship in the state. He also underscored the necessity of a police force in the Foothill areas and urged the house to address issues related to human-animal conflict. NPF Legislator Achumbemo Kikon reiterated the commitment to resolving the Naga political issue and emphasized the need for police forces in foothill areas and addressing human-animal conflicts.
JD(U) legislator Jwengba Seb highlighted the plight of economically backward areas in western Nagaland, particularly villages in Tseminyu district, which lack basic amenities.
Seb addressed the power transmission issue, noting that while major towns and load centers in the state benefit from a robust 132kv line system, Tseminyu district faces severe power shortages and frequent outages despite its population of 56,839 according to the 2011 census. He emphasized the immediate need for a 20 MVA transformer to meet the district’s power supply requirements.
Furthermore, Seb urged the government to reconsider the current system of advance GST collection from service providers and suppliers, advocating alignment with the provisions of the GST law of 2017.
BJP member Er. Kropol Vitsu commended the government’s achievements in sports and tourism and highlighted improvements in the GST sector. NDPP member Z. Nyusietho Nyuthe also supported the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address.