On the last day of the second session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, ministers in-charge of various departments addressed the starred and supplementary questions raised by the members of the house.
Oil exploration: Replying to a starred question raised by NPF legislator, Achumbemo Kikon on the position of the state Nagaland on Bipartite and Tripartite MoU with Government of India and Government of Assam, chief minister and leader of the house Neiphiu Rio said that the state government in pursuance of Article 371(A) had been discussing Bipartite MoU on framework for expediting petroleum operations in the state as proposed by the Centre under nomination and OALP regimes, especially in the interim period during the pendency of the disputes.
Further, he said discussion with the Assam and Central governments on Tripartite MoU on the framework on equal sharing of revenue from petroleum operations carried out in the entire DAB area, as an interim arrangement was underway. Rio also said that the Champang field was outside DAB and therefore could be included in the Bipartite MoU when finalized.
Road: Responding to a starred question put forward by NPP MLA Nuklutoshi on the status of NH 2 from Nagaland Gandhi Ashram, Chuchuyimlang to Pangsha, the chief minister informed that the tentative cost estimate for consultancy services for preparation of Feasibility Study and Detailed Project Report was accorded by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on July 31, 2017. The Tender based estimate was submitted to the Ministry on April 24, 2018 for approval and the state government was still waiting for the reply despite seeking instruction from the MoRTH. When asked if any amount had been sanctioned for the road, Rio replied that no amount was sanctioned as the sanctioning was to be done by MoRTH.
Advisor Water Resources Tongpang Ozukum appealed and requested the concerned minister and the department to look into NH 701-705 Wokha district, 105-125– Doyang Bridge to Mokokchung district. He also requested for appropriate level of maintenance for the roads.
Responding to Nukultoshi’s query on the status of the road from Amguri NH 61(2) Tuli to Niuland via Longchem-Champang-Governor’s camp under SARDP-NE Phase- B, chief minister said that the final DPR was submitted to MoRTH amounting to Rs. 3,284.06 crore on June 12, 2019.
Replying to NPF legislator Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu’s query on the status of NHIDCL project package 4 construction of two-lane road from Kohima to bypass under NH29, chief minister Neiphiu Rio said that the project was ongoing and the percentage of physical and financial progress was 23.14% and 19.92% respectively. On safety, measures the leader of the house said that EPC contractor was on the job for preventing landslide and rockfall prone areas within Dimapur-Kohima 4 lane road package I. Border issue: Replying to NPF MLA Achumbemo Kikon on the issue of border issue, Rio, while noting that Nagas have had a long history and struggle, said that most of the land which were part of Nagaland were now under Assam, referring to the administrative convenience of the British rule. He acknowledged that there was no way out to take back those lands as people had already settled and made land pattas.
In order to settle the matter out of the court, Rio said he had discussed the issue with his Assam counterpart, and both were ready to settle the issue.
Rio also said that if Naga issue was resolved, all other matters would be resolved one by one including border issue. He, however, lamented that things were not going as desired.
He also emphasized on oil and mineral exploration, if the state was to generate revenue instead of depending on the Centre. Surrender-rehabilitation policy: Replying to starred question raised by NPF MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu on surrender-rehabilitation policy for militants, deputy CM and minister in-charge of Home, Y. Patton said that the Home ministry (MHA) had revised the scheme for surrender-cum-rehabilitation of militants in the North East (except Sikkim and Mizoram) under Security Related Expenditure Scheme in 2018.
Two bills passed: Leader of the house and chief minister Neiphiu Rio moved “The Nagaland Goods and Services Tax (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2023” while Health & Family Welfare minister P. Paiwang Konyak moved the “Nagaland Anatomy Bill, 2023”. Both the Bills were passed.
Laying report: Rio also laid the “Amendment of Rule 50 & 51 of the Nagaland Staff Selection Board Regulations- 2020” and also presented the “Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Social, Economic, General and Revenue Sectors for the year ended 31st March 2022”.