Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Thursday passed the Rs 24,239.96 crore budget for the financial year 2022-2023 by a voice vote on the concluding day of the ongoing 11th session of the 13th Assembly.
Leader of the House and chief minister Neiphiu Rio, who also holds the finance portfolio, had said that though the 2022-23 transactions were estimated to result in a positive balance of Rs 150.30 crore, the fiscal was estimated to close with a negative balance of Rs 2,212.74 crore due to the negative opening balance of Rs 2,363.04 crore.
There were no cut motions or clarifications sought by any of the members while passing the budget.
Rio also moved the Nagaland Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022, which was passed by the House.
He also moved the Nagaland Appropriation (No. 1) Bill, 2022 (Supplementary 2021-2022) and the Nagaland Appropriation (No. 2) Bill 2022 (Budget 2022-2023). The Bills were introduced and taken into consideration. Both the Bills were passed by the House.
The Supplementary Demand for Grant for 2021-2022 was also passed by the House, along with voting on the Demand for Grants for the Year 2022-2023.
In his closing remark, the chief minister appreciated the members for actively taking part in the budget discussion and lauded the positive and constructive suggestions raised by them.
He exuded confidence that AHoDs, HoDs and all concerned had taken note of the suggestions and would work together to serve the people.
Earlier, responding to some queries raised by the members, Rio claimed that the ‘Chief Minister’s Micro Finance Initiative’ would make credit more affordable and available to individuals, self-help groups and farmer producer organisations.
This, he said would give a big boost to entrepreneurs and farmers and that Rs 65 crore was earmarked for this scheme, while the SARFAESI Act had been implemented due to which aspiring entrepreneurs could avail loans from banks.
He said the ‘Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme’ would provide every citizen with hospitalisation insurance cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per annum irrespective of family income and would be implemented by September 2022.
To a query raised by NPF legislator Amenba Yaden on customary laws, Rio said their compilation was underway and, upon completion, would be printed in local dialects. And if any amendment was required, that too could be done in line with Article 371(A), he added.
On the power issue raised by multiple members, he said the shortfall between power purchase and revenue collected was Rs 237.12 crore. However, he claimed that the Power Department was vigorously putting all efforts to improve revenue collection.He informed the members that 10,000 smart meters were installed in Dimapur and another 10,000 were being currently installed, while 10,000 meters were installed in Kohima, which had resulted in improvement in revenue collection. He said the department was also cracking down hard on power theft and assured the members that rearranging of technical staff would also be looked into.
He claimed that within three to five years the State would generate more than 300 MW, of which 200 MW would be used by the State, while the rest 100 MW surplus could be sold. Therefore, he said the government was giving priority in this sector.
Rio further informed the House that the scheme under JICA forest management would be taken up in 185 villages, adding that 91 were already under implementation and that monitoring machinery was already in place.
Referring to Nagaland Pulp & Paper Industries Ltd, Tuli, Rio said the company failed because of bad management by Hindustan Paper Corporation Ltd and the liquidation process was currently underway.
He agreed with the members that if the Tuli paper mill could be revived, employment opportunities of Naga youth would increase. He assured the House that the matter would be pursued and if there was no option to revive it, the State would have no choice but to go to court.
On the agri and allied sector, Rio mentioned that the State had witnessed drought-like situations in 2021 and even this year things were uncertain because rain came early. He asked the departments concerned to brief the government regarding giving support to the farmers and ensure better harvest.
He also assured to take up banking facilities in unbanked blocks and ensure that facilities reached the people in remotest areas.
On high court complex raised by NPF legislator Amenba Yaden, Rio mentioned that its construction was put on hold for a long time due to a CBI case. But now that contractors were allowed to work, he said he would try to allocate funds for its completion.
He said 14th and 15th Finance Commissions did not entertain the proposal for construction of the high court complex. He mentioned that the matter was made known to Union Finance Minister and hoped that things would work out else, other source would have to be found, he added.
Responding to a query of NPF legislator Yitachu who insisted on Nagaland State Transport (NST) bus service from Meluri to Kohima, the chief minister replied that buses would be provided if possible, but added that private buses too would be encouraged.
Regarding Chiethu Greenfield Airport and inland waterways, which Yitachu said should have been included in budget speech, Rio admitted to have excluded the two. He however informed the member that he had met Union Civil Aviation Minister in September 2020 on the airport, adding that detailed project report was about Rs 8-9 crore. And now that a survey had found it viable, he mentioned that Prime Minister would see the matter and decide how to go about it.
On inland waterways, he claimed that during his meeting with Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, he was assured that a study would be conducted to check the viability.
Rio also reiterated that once the Personal Information Management System (PIMS) was put in place, details of State government employees would be known and this would avoid double payment of salaries as some were registered in two departments.
He further stated that salaries would be paid on e-pay bill system and exuded confidence that this would be helpful for the State.
He said salaries and wages under non-development plan took up 51.91% of the State budget, pension 19.60%, debt Servicing 13.93% and other recurring expenditure covered about 7.36%, leaving very less fund for developmental activities and hence the employees must do justice and serve the people well.
On shortage of teachers, Rio remarked that School Education Department had the highest number of litigations because of which promotions to AHMs, HMs could not be done. If there were no qualified math and science teachers from indigenous inhabitants, especially in ENPO areas, he called for appointment of non-locals so that education was not compromised.
He urged the members to inform him if they had any complaints as there was no opposition in the House.
NLA adjourned sine die
Meanwhile, following completing all the list of business, speaker Sharingain Longkumer adjourned the Assembly sine die one day before schedule.
Rio further informed the House that the scheme under JICA forest management would be taken up in 185 villages, adding that 91 were already under implementation and that monitoring machinery was already in place.
Referring to Nagaland Pulp & Paper Industries Ltd, Tuli, Rio said the company failed because of bad management by Hindustan Paper Corporation Ltd and the liquidation process was currently underway.
He agreed with the members that if the Tuli paper mill could be revived, employment opportunities of Naga youth would increase. He assured the House that the matter would be pursued and if there was no option to revive it, the State would have no choice but to go to court. On the agri and allied sector, Rio mentioned that the State had witnessed drought-like situations in 2021 and even this year things were uncertain because rain came early. He asked the departments concerned to brief the government regarding giving support to the farmers and ensure better harvest.
He also assured to take up banking facilities in unbanked blocks and ensure that facilities reached the people in remotest areas. On high court complex raised by NPF legislator Amenba Yaden, Rio mentioned that its construction was put on hold for a long time due to a CBI case. But now that contractors were allowed to work, he said he would try to allocate funds for its completion.
He said 14th and 15th Finance Commissions did not entertain the proposal for construction of the high court complex. He mentioned that the matter was made known to Union Finance Minister and hoped that things would work out else, other source would have to be found, he added.
Responding to a query of NPF legislator Yitachu who insisted on Nagaland State Transport (NST) bus service from Meluri to Kohima, the chief minister replied that buses would be provided if possible, but added that private buses too would be encouraged.
Regarding Chiethu Greenfield Airport and inland waterways, which Yitachu said should have been included in budget speech, Rio admitted to have excluded the two. He however informed the member that he had met Union Civil Aviation Minister in September 2020 on the airport, adding that detailed project report was about Rs 8-9 crore. And now that a survey had found it viable, he mentioned that Prime Minister would see the matter and decide how to go about it.
On inland waterways, he claimed that during his meeting with Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, he was assured that a study would be conducted to check the viability. Rio also reiterated that once the Personal Information Management System (PIMS) was put in place, details of State government employees would be known and this would avoid double payment of salaries as some were registered in two departments.
He further stated that salaries would be paid on e-pay bill system and exuded confidence that this would be helpful for the State.
He said salaries and wages under non-development plan took up 51.91% of the State budget, pension 19.60%, debt Servicing 13.93% and other recurring expenditure covered about 7.36%, leaving very less fund for developmental activities and hence the employees must do justice and serve the people well.
On shortage of teachers, Rio remarked that School Education Department had the highest number of litigations because of which promotions to AHMs, HMs could not be done. If there were no qualified math and science teachers from indigenous inhabitants, especially in ENPO areas, he called for appointment of non-locals so that education was not compromised. He urged the members to inform him if they had any complaints as there was no opposition in the House.