The Nagaland Cabinet Thursday held a meeting at the Chief Minister’s Residential Complex, Kohima, to discuss crucial issues such as– Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation’s FNT issue, Inner Line Permit (ILP) implementation, job reservation, absorption of assistant professors, and ongoing gas pipeline infrastructure development.
Briefing media persons after the meeting at Hotel Japfü, cabinet ministers and government spokespersons Temjen Imna Along and CL John gave a detailed account of the discussions held and subsequent decisions at the Cabinet meeting.
ILP enforcement and reforms: On the issue of ILP enforcement—particularly in areas such as Dimapur, CL John said that the Home department briefed the Cabinet on the current status.
Minister Forest C.L. John said the cabinet, after discussions, decided to strengthen and streamline the ILP system.
Family members and dependents of state and central government employees would no longer be required to obtain ILPs, provided they produce valid government-issued identity cards. Heads of registered private and public companies were also authorized to serve as guarantors for their employees while applying for ILPs.
He said the Cabinet also directed that the ILP online application portal be made more inclusive by incorporating underrepresented categories such as drivers, lawyers, architects, skilled professionals, housewives, unemployed individuals, non-school going children, tenants, social workers, private sector employees, consultants and others. He said the move was aimed at making the portal more reflective of the state’s diverse applicant base.
CL John said that the Cabinet approved employer certifications submitted during ILP applications which have to be accompanied by supporting documents from landlords or house owners to ensure verification of residential details.
Taking serious note of the misuse of Indigenous Inhabitant Certificates (IIC) by non-Nagas, CL John said that the Cabinet directed the Home department to initiate a thorough verification process, under the supervision of Commissioner of Nagaland, who has been tasked with submitting a comprehensive report.
To support local administrative units, he said the Cabinet approved a revenue-sharing model under which fees collected for maintaining village-level registers of ILP holders would be divided in a 2:1 ratio between the State Government and the concerned Village Councils.
For migrant workers and the floating population, he said the Cabinet also approved issuance of work permits, provided they are guaranteed by their employers or landlords. Transit passengers will be exempted from ILP requirements.
It was also decided that offline ILP issuance would continue until Smart Cards for Category I and II applicants are rolled out. In this regard, John said the previous Office Memorandum dated February 6, 2020, will be replaced by an updated notification dated September 20, 2024. Draft formats for Temporary Certificates and application forms for the new ILP categories were also approved during the meeting, he said.
Panel on job reservation: Responding to the demands put forth by the Five Tribes Committee on the Review of Reservation Policy (CoRRP), Imna Along said that the Cabinet agreed in principle to constitute a commission to examine all aspects of the existing job reservation policy.
Along informed that chief minister Neiphiu Rio was committed to ensuring that the commission will comprise individuals of integrity and competence.
He said that the proposed commission is expected to be formed within a month and will consist of two IAS officers and one representative each from the Tenyimi Union, Central Nagaland Tribes Council, and Eastern Naga People’s Organisation.
Along clarified that the objective of the commission is not to arbitrarily increase or decrease quota percentages but to undertake a comprehensive review with inclusivity and transparency.
Absorption of asst profs: CL John said that the Cabinet also revisited the issue concerning the absorption of 147 assistant professors appointed under the Higher Education department.
While taking note of the recommendations submitted by the High-Power Committee (HPC), he said the Cabinet directed the department to re-examine the proposal and bring back a revised post creation proposal for final approval.
Gas pipeline project: CL John said that the Cabinet reviewed progress on the gas pipeline project being implemented by Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL). It was informed that a No Objection Certificate (NoC) had been granted for 107 km out of the 140 km alignment. He said the Cabinet directed the concerned authorities to expedite clearance for the remaining 33 km to ensure timely completion of the project.
ENPO issue: On the long-pending ENPO demand (Frontier Nagaland Territory), CL John said that the Cabinet extensively deliberated on the comments and feedback submitted in response to the draft Memorandum of Settlement (MoS).
CL John said the Cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to uphold the core principles agreed upon in the earlier highlights of the draft Memorandum of Settlement (MoS). He informed that while substantial progress had been achieved in narrowing differences, twelve key points where disagreements still remain would be taken up for further negotiation.