Nagaland Governor R.N.Ravi highlighted various achievements and issues in the state among which was the successful conclusion of the protracted talks between the government of India and Naga political groups. Addressing the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on the first day of the fifth session, Ravi expressed appreciation to the stakeholders for their sincerity, foresightedness and their spirit of understanding that helped create a conducive atmosphere for conclusion of talks.
He lauded the efforts of the Joint Legislators Forum for the November 13,2019 resolution on Naga political issue. Ravi also acknowledged the roles played by tribal hohos, mass-based organisations, churches and civil society in creating a favourable climate that enabled various outfits proceed unhindered towards a positive direction. Ravi also appealed to all state governments and people of neighbouring states, to show the highest level of understanding so that the Naga peace process would conclude successfully for an enduring peace in the region.
On the CAB 2019, Ravi said Nagaland did not provide any ground for CAB since it enjoyed a special status under Article 371A and also applicability of ILP(under BEFR 1873). Ravi also mentioned that from December 9,2019 decision, ILP was made operative to entire Dimapur district to check influx of illegal immigrants as well as visible worsening of law and order on account of “entry of anti-social elements and groups of various shades from outside.”
On identifying indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland , he said the state government will examine the recommendation of the RIIN Commission before tabling it in the house for further deliberations.
Ravi also informed that a Cyber Crime Prevention Against Women and Children Lab has been set up at Police Training School Chumoukedima.
He mentioned that from 2020 academic year, the Department of School Education has introduced Teachers’ Dairy on monitoring students outcomes and teachers performances. He also informed that the government will double farmers’ income by 2022 under various central schemes.
Emphasising on the importance on development of roads, he said four road projects have been sanctioned under NEC for upgradation. Also seven projects under North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme(NESIDS) and 13 under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana(PMGSY) have also been sanctioned. Further, he said the Roads and Bridges department is constructing nine roads under Inter-State Connectivity (ISC) covering 180.89 Kms amounting to Rs.631.18 crore.
NLA ratifies Bill on SC/ST reservation for LS, Assemblies
Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Friday unanimously ratified the Constitution (126th) Amendment Bill that proposes to extend the reservation quota for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies by another 10 years, till January 25, 2030. The reservation quota was provided for a period of 70 years since the enactment of the Constitution and will expire on January 25, 2020 if not extended further. The Constitution (126th) Amendment Bill had already been passed by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on December 10 and 12, 2019.
During the fifth (special) session of the 13th NLA, the chief minister Neiphiu Rio, while moving for the resolution for rectification of the bill, said the amendment bill was made in regard to Article 334 pertaining to period of reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the House of the People and legislative assemblies of the state. Rio said that Nagaland was a direct beneficiary of this provision, wherein 59 out of 60 seats were reserved for schedule tribes of Nagaland. He also said the house may have to pursue for further discussion in future on Dimapur -I , an unreserved seat. He said states like Meghalaya, Mizoram and Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seats were reserved for ST whereas Nagaland’s lone Lok Sabha seat was not reserved. He said this could also be discussed in future. The house later adopted the resolution for ratification of the bill by unanimous voice vote. The house was then adjourned till February 7, 2020.