NLA defers FNTA Bill for further examination

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday announced the deferment of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Bill, 2026, citing the need for further examination, wider consultations and legal clarity before its passage.
Addressing the House during the eighth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Rio emphasised that the enactment of the FNTA Act was a matter of utmost importance, requiring careful consideration to ensure that all provisions of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) were addressed in a legally sound and constitutionally tenable manner. He stated that in view of the request made by the Government of India, a signatory to the MoA, and appeals received from the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) and Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union (ENLU), the government proposed that consideration and passage of the Bill be deferred and referred back to the government for further examination.
Rio said the State government had been maintaining constant communication with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and reiterated that the government remained committed to ensuring equity, inclusivity and balanced development across all regions of Nagaland. He underlined that the deferment should not be seen as a setback but as a necessary step to ensure that the final legislation was robust, constitutionally valid and in line with the aspirations of the people of eastern Nagaland.
Highlighting the historical context, Rio said that the eastern districts of Nagaland had long suffered from developmental deficits due to geographical challenges and historical reasons. He noted that despite sustained efforts by successive governments, the magnitude of the development gap, coupled with limited resources, had meant that these regions continued to lag behind in several key indicators. He said this had led to the demand for an institutional arrangement that could address the specific needs and aspirations of the people of eastern Nagaland.
The chief minister stated that the demand had culminated in the signing of the MoA on February 5, 2026, between the Government of India, the State government and ENPO for the establishment of the FNTA within Nagaland. He said the proposed authority would cover six districts—Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak and Shamator—and would aim to provide a framework for democratic and decentralised self-governance at the regional level.
Rio said the FNTA was envisaged as a unique self-governing territorial arrangement that would enable the people of eastern Nagaland to fulfil their social, economic, educational, cultural and linguistic aspirations. He added that the authority would also play a key role in accelerating development in the region and bridging the gap with other parts of the State.
He further stated that the FNTA would prepare its own annual plans based on grassroots needs and would have its own planning and financing mechanisms. The State government, he said, would ensure timely release of funds in accordance with established norms, while the Government of India was expected to provide additional financial support under various schemes and programmes, taking into account the underdevelopment and infrastructure gaps in the eastern region.
Outlining the legislative process, Rio said that as per Clause 3.3 of the MoA, the FNTA was to be constituted through a special legislation to be enacted by the State government in consultation with the MHA. He said that following the signing of the MoA, the concerned departments of the State initiated the process of drafting the Bill by incorporating the provisions of the agreement.
He informed that the State Cabinet, which met on February 26, 2026, deliberated on the draft Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority Bill prepared by the Law and Justice Department. During the meeting, the opinion of the Advocate General was sought regarding the legal provisions of the Bill.
Rio said the Advocate General had opined that under the constitutional scheme, legislative powers could not be conferred on the FNTA through a State legislation. He added that the Cabinet observed that the State government did not possess the legislative competence to delegate powers equivalent to its own or transfer legislative authority to another body. In view of this, the Cabinet directed that the issue be referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs for clarification.
He said the State government accordingly sent a communication to the MHA on March 6, 2026, highlighting the issue of legislative powers under Clause 3.3 of the MoA, with copies shared with ENPO. He added that on March 10, the State received a response from the MHA requesting it to proceed with drafting the legislation and submit the proposal in consultation with the Ministry.
Rio further stated that he held discussions with the Union Home Secretary on March 16, during which the MoA and the need for early constitution of the FNTA were discussed. Subsequently, the draft Bill was further examined, vetted by the Advocate General and forwarded to the MHA on March 17, 2026.
He said that representatives of ENPO met him on March 24 and submitted a representation requesting that the FNTA Bill be passed before their Central Executive Committee meeting scheduled for March 30, 2026. He added that the State government had assured ENPO that the Bill would be tabled and passed during the ongoing session of the Assembly.
Accordingly, the Bill was introduced in the House on March 26, 2026. However, Rio said that subsequent developments necessitated reconsideration. He informed that the Ministry of Home Affairs conveyed that the issue relating to the conferral of legislative powers on FNTA was still under examination and that the opinion of the Solicitor General of India was being sought on the matter.
The chief minister said the State government had been requested to allow more time to the MHA and to take further action on the Bill only after receiving the Centre’s views and legal opinion. He added that on the evening of March 26, ENPO, through ENLU, also submitted an appeal requesting that the provisions of the MoA be upheld and suggesting that the passage of the Bill be deferred until all concerns were addressed and clarity was achieved.
Rio said that in light of these developments, the State Cabinet met again on March 25 and deliberated further on the draft Bill. Taking into account the request of ENPO, the communication from the MHA and the limited time available in the current session, the Cabinet decided to approve the draft Bill with modifications for tabling, while keeping open the option for further examination.
He reiterated that the deferment was aimed at ensuring that the final legislation would fully reflect the provisions of the MoA and withstand constitutional scrutiny.
Earlier, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Power K. G. Kenye informed the House that concerns had been raised by the Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union regarding the FNTA Bill. He said ENLU members had held consultations with ENPO following the introduction of the Bill and identified several key provisions that were not reflected in the draft.
Kenye stated that discrepancies had emerged when comparing the contents of the Bill with the commitments made in the MoA signed on February 5, 2026, in New Delhi between the Government of India, the State government and ENPO. He said certain contentious issues had also come to light, necessitating careful reconsideration.
“I am compelled to refer the matter and endorse it to the Honourable House for reconsideration,” Kenye said, adding that the Bill should not be enacted at this stage. He suggested that the FNTA Bill 2026 be referred back to the government for further examination to ensure that all provisions of the MoA were adequately reflected and addressed before its passage.
The deferment of the Bill comes amid continued deliberations between the State government, the Centre and stakeholders, with the government maintaining that it remains committed to bringing a comprehensive and constitutionally sound legislation that fulfils the aspirations of the people of eastern Nagaland.