FNTA Bill 2026 tabled; ENPO highlights issues

Even as the state government introduced the bill for the proposed Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) 2026 at the ongoing Assembly on March 26, Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) while expressing appreciation to the state government has highlighted some notable issues.
ENPO president Chingmak Chang and general secretary Honang Konyak, in a letter addressed to the chief minister, appreciated the state government for introducing the FNTA Bill, 2026 in the Assembly on March 26, 2026.
However, the signatories expressed concern that some important contents of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on February 5, 2026 between the Government of India, the State Government, and ENPO in New Delhi were found to have been omitted or changed.
ENPO has, therefore, appealed to chief minister to review the contents of the introduced bill and ensure that the provisions of the MoA were duly reflected without any dilution while passing the legislation on March 27, 2026.
Meanwhile, the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority Bill, 2026 was introduced by deputy chief minister Y Patton during the eighth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly which seeks to provide for the constitution of a regional autonomous body for the eastern districts of Nagaland as per the recent tripartite agreement with the Centre and stakeholders.
Further, the State Assembly also allocated Rs.100.57 crore as grants for FNTA, representing the proportional share of the total divisible pool from the State Development Fund after accounting for State-wide obligations, including non-transferred departments. Apart from this state grant, the Central government has committed a separate Rs. 5,000 crore development package over the next 10 years.
Addressing the media after presenting the Budget 2026-27, chief minister Neiphiu Rio said the FNTA legislation was being brought in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement signed on February 5, 2026, between the Government of India, State government and ENPO.
He stated that although consultations with the Centre were mandated, the State had proceeded with drafting the Bill on the advice of the Advocate General and the Law and Justice department after incorporating provisions of the agreement.
Rio said the Bill would be taken up for discussion and passage during the current session. He added that despite the Centre not formally responding to the State’s communication, the government had honoured its commitment to the ENPO to table and pass the Bill within the session.
He further disclosed that during discussions with the Union Home Secretary, it was conveyed that the Centre was keen on early implementation of the arrangement and that Union Home Minister Amit Shah intended to inaugurate the FNTA by April. Rio asserted that the State government had completed its part and the process was moving forward.
The legislation outlines provisions for the creation of an elected territorial authority, constituencies, and an executive council headed by a Chief Executive Member along with a Deputy. It also defines administrative roles, including that of an Additional Commissioner to oversee district administration in the Frontier Nagaland Territory.
The Bill further provides for the conduct of elections, formation of an interim council, and delineation of powers and functions of the authority. It states that the Act will come into force on a date to be notified by the state government and may be implemented in phases. Key definitions under the Bill include the structure of the executive council, electoral processes, and integration with existing institutions such as municipalities and village councils.