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FriDAY • MArch 18 • 2016
DIMAPUR • Vol. XI • Issue 75 • 12 PAGes • 5
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Our span of life is brief, but is long enough for us to live well and honestly — Cicero Deal with Myanmar, Thailand soon for road network: Gadkari PAGE 08
Nagaland Backward Tribes Commission Bill 2016 introduced our Correspondent Kohima | March 17
Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang today introduced the Nagaland Backward Tribes Commission Bill 2016 on the Floor of the NLA. The implementation of this Bill is likely to cause a recurring expenditure of Rs. 1,08,72,000 (approximately) annually and shall be charged from the Consolidated Fund of the state. The Bill aims to establish a Commission for Backward Tribes in the state to safeguard the rights of ‘backward tribes’ of the state, with special focus on the Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Sangtam and Yimchungru tribes, of the Longleng, Kiphire, Mon and Tuensang districts, and study and make recommendations on educational, employment and health aspects pertaining to them. NLA speaker Chotisuh Sazo informed that consideration and passing of the same will be taken up on March 19 and amendment if any can be submitted till 12:00 noon on March 18.
Ban on employment of domestic helpers from Yimchungrü tribe
Nagaland Legislative Assembly Budget News
Barca’s terrific trio down Arsenal to reach last eight
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Nagaland Budget: Deficit reduced to Rs 1419.35 Cr • No new taxes introduced • Deficit cut by a ‘projected’ Rs 123.36 Cr • 2016 Annual Plan Outlay projected at Rs 3924.47 Crore • 2016-17 projected to end on positive balance of 225 crore, but deficit will still be Rs. 1194.35 Crore our Correspondent Kohima | March 17
Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, today presented a negative opening balance of Rs. 1419.35 Crore at the Nagaland State Budget presentation for 2016-17. The CM however chose to gloss over the deficit by presenting and lauding a positive balance of Rs. 71.62 Crore from the current revenue. With an opening deficit of Rs 1542.71 Crore, the CM reveled in the fact that the enormous deficit had been reduced by a “projected” amount of Rs. 123.36 Crore, resulting in a current deficit of Rs 1419.35 Crore. This was hailed as the “first time after many years” that the House has been able to present a full budget. This is the “first time in the recent history of our State where the deficit could be reduced to this extent during a single financial year,” he said. The CM attributed this to the replacement of the Planning Commission by NITI Aayog and the change in the pattern of fund flow from the Centre to the States. This, the CM stated, has enabled the State Government to release
all pending civil deposits in the current financial year. “With the new system, for the first time after many years we are presenting a full budget for 2016-17 in the month of March,” he said. The CM expressed hope that the current deficit would be further reduced by Rs. 225 Crore, which is the estimated positive balance by the end of 2016-17. He aimed to do this with better monitoring and control and various austerity measures being worked out. This however will be subject to the Government of India providing grant of Rs. 3016.31 Crore under share of Central Taxes as projected in the present budget. Even if the deficit is reduced, as estimated, 201617 would still end with a closing negative balance of Rs. 1194.35 Crore. Meanwhile, the gross total budget presented by the CM was Rs. 13658.75 Crore. Gross receipts for 2016-17 have been estimated at Rs. 13,870.98 Crore and gross expenditure at Rs. 13,645.98 Crore. The bulk of the estimated revenue depends on the Center releasing the State’s share in cen-
DIMAPUR, MARCH 17 (MExN): In compliance with the recent decision to ban domestic helpers/servants from Eastern Naga tribes in Kohima by concerned tribal hohos, Yimchungrü Union Kohima (YUH) while reaffirming the decision has banned employment of domestic helpers/servants from Yimchungrü tribe. However, for those who have already employed without knowledge of the Union have been asked to register their names within one month from the date of publication of this press statement, YUH president T. Kejingkhum and general secretary Kiutsuthong Yimchungrü informed. This directive has been necessitated after taking note of series of torturing/harassment cases being reported to this office in the past, it maintained. It has therefore asked the concerned guardians to co-operate with the Union so as to avoid future com- General Rtd MB neokpao Konyak being sworn in as the Presplication. For registration, ident of the GPRn/nsCn today at Khehoi Designated Camp. those concerned have been asked to contact the following numbers - 9862043255| 9862459292.
nagaland state Chief Minister, TR Zeliang presenting the nagaland state Budget 2016-17 at the nlA on March 17. (DIPR Photo)
A: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) Total B: (i) (ii) (iii) Total C:
Estimated gross receipts and expenditures for 2016-17 RECEIPTS: State’s Own Tax and Non-Tax Revenue State’s Share in Central Taxes Central Assistance (Grants & Loans) Internal Debt (including WMA from RBI) Recovery of Loans and Advances 13870.98 EXPENDITURE Non-Plan Expenditure (excluding Servicing of debts) Servicing of Debt (including repayment of WMA) Plan Expenditure 13645.98 Balance (A-B)
(Rs in crore) 776.90 3016.31 6775.69 3299.20 2.88 6129.32 3592.19 3924.47 225.00 Source: DIPR
tral taxes amounting to Rs. 3016.31 Crore; and central grants and loans amounting to Rs 6775.69 Crore. To this, the internal revenue collection of the state is being estimated at Rs. 776.90 Crore, receipts of internal debt (including WMA from RBI) at Rs 3299.20 Crore
and loans and advanced recovery of Rs. 2.88 Crore. The Annual Plan Outlay for 2016-17 has been projected at Rs. 3924.47 Crore. This consists of Rs. 2882.41 Crore as CSS, Rs. 117.06 Crore as NEC, Rs. 230.00 Crore as NLCPR, Rs. 115.00 Crore as EAP
and Rs. 580.00 Crore as untied or flexible fund. Out of this outlay, Rs. 1519.38 Crore (38.72%) has been allocated for the social sector; Rs. 1903.01 Crore (48.49%) for the economic sector; and Rs. 502.08 Crore (12.79%) for the general sector.
The CM specifically pointed out that necessary fund support has been given for introduction of post graduate courses at the Kohima Science College Jotsoma in Mathematics, Physics, Botany, Zoology, Geology and Anthropology from the next academic session. The internal revenue collection during the current year was put at Rs. 665.06 Crore as against last year’s target of Rs. 593 Crore, an increase of 12.15 per cent. However, because of “improvements made in some sectors,” this figure has now increased to Rs. 683.02 Crore in the revised estimates for 2015-16, an improvement of 15.18%. While the previous year’s budget had several tax increases, this year saw no new taxes. The CM however stated that the tax collection system in the State will be “improved.” Further, in continuation of the rationalization and codification of the Demand for Grants from 2015-16, more “improvements” have been made in the 2016-17 budget, where there is no separate column for Plan and Non Plan funds, but which can be identified by use of the classification code. He added that an abstract of head-wise detailed fund provisions has been indicated for easy and ready reference. This, he said, will facilitate the computerization of the transactions of all DDOs and Treasuries in the near future. He hoped
General Rtd. MB Neokpao Konyak Contractors seal GHSS and DFO office Wokha sworn in as GPRN/NSCN President Lotha Students’ DIMAPUR, MARCH 17 (MExN): The GPRN/NSCN today held their Presidential swearing in ceremony of Gen Rtd MB Neokpao Konyak at its Tatar Hall, Khehoi Designated Camp in the presence of Ato Kilonser N Kitovi Zhimomi, Envoy to collective leadership and all rank and files from both civil and army. A press note from the MIP, GPRN/NSCN quoted President Gen Rtd MB Neokpao Konyak as stat-
Support the peace process, CM appeals our Correspondent Kohima | March 17
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Referring to the Framework Agreement signed between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India, Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang today said “although the detailed modalities for final agreement have still not been made public, there is no denying that it is a huge milestone, and a big step forward towards resolution of the long pending Naga political issue.” Zeliang in his budget speech on the Floor of the House today reiterated that the government is prepared to step aside, if necessary, to pave the way for any political settlement that is honourable and acceptable to the Nagas. He also requested all the Naga political groups to join the process of consultations being initiated by the interlocutor to the Indo-Naga peace talks. “We hope and believe that the final settlement arrived at as result of the present dialogue will be inclusive and cover all the Nagas wherever they are,” he said. “We are committed to find and facilitate a peaceful solution to the Naga po-
litical issue, and will continue to do so till we reach the goal.” Regarding the Parliamentary Working Committee’s meetings with various central leaders, the CM stated: “We are truly encouraged to see the positive response and assurances from various political party leaders, which has given us renewed hopes of seeing the long awaited final resolution of the Naga political issue.” The PWC, he informed had also met the various Naga political groups, at Chumukedima on March 9 this year, and exchanged views on the Naga political issue and its peaceful resolution. “As the parties to the dialogue continue to work out the final details of a comprehensive agreement, I appeal to all sections of the Naga society to support the peace process with a spirit of forgive and forget, so that collectively, we may be able to build a better future for ourselves and our children.” He assured that the PWC has no intention of undermining the efforts and sacrifices of any group, and that it is equally interested to engage with any group in its collective effort for a peaceful and final solution.
ing that “the Naga nation in the recent past has seen lots of defections and counter defections.” He added that “the problem of Nagas will not be solved by changing ones position or group but it will be solved only through a determined spirit, a mind that thinks for the future, and a heart that feels for its people.” “For unity and solution of Naga problem I will stand as President for the people of Nagaland,” he affirmed.
LSU questions shifting of TGOUN Wokha campus DIMAPUR, MARCH 17 (MExN): The Lotha Students’ Union (LSU) has reaffirmed its earlier representation to the Governor of Nagaland dated March 14, 2016 on the issue of shifting of Wokha campus, The Global Open University, Nagaland (TGOUN) to Dimapur headquarter. The LSU had, in its earlier representation, appealed the Governor to direct the Vice Chancellor of TGOUN to revoke the order issued by the Director of the University to shift the Wokha campus to Dimapur headquarter reportedly for the administrative convenience of the University. It had also requested the Governor to impress upon the functionaries of the TGOUN to immediately acquire/procure appropriate assets and infrastructure at Wokha and develop the Wokha campus and make it fully operational within one year from the submission of the representation. It further demanded that the university establish a permanent office at Wokha with an officer not below the rank of the Registrar or the Director to oversee and manage the Wokha Campus within six month. In this connection, the reminder note issued by LSU president, Amos Odyuo and general secretary T. Phyobemo Kikon on Thursday cautioned that in the event of failure to fulfill the demands of the students union, it would take own course of action after the expiry of the given time frame.
Union express concern; urges the government to take up the matter seriously
WOKHA, MARCH 17 (MExN): The Lotha Students’ Union (LSU) today expressed concern at the move by certain contractors to seal the GHSS building, Wokha and Divisional Forest Officer Office, Wokha due to non- payment of pending bills against the contract works executed. The LSU, in a press note today urged the concerned department and the government to take up the matter seriously and on priority to consider the grievances of the aggrieved contractors. It asked the issue be negotiated towards an acceptable settlement in the interest of the student community.
The LSU further stated that it does not endorse the adopting of “such primitive and irrational method of expressing resentment on the part of the contractors.” “The contractors are expected to take up proper and legitimate action to address their grievances and not by way of resorting to such illogical manner of sealing the Government establishments particularly and Educational institution,” it said. Stating that the LSU would not tolerate such unpleasant circumstances affecting the academic careers of the students, it asked for an early settlement of the issue. The LSU further cautioned that failure to address this concern within 15 days would compel the LSU to “take its own course of action to protect the rights and interest of the student community.”
that this would help improve quality of Accounts, improve monitoring and control of expenditure.
Measures to reduce overhead expenditure
To bring down overhead expenditures, the CM said various measures will be undertaken. He said departments having excess employees shall not be allowed to recruit new employees even against resultant vacancies as was done in the case of School Education Department. Another measure would be rationalization of man power management, and relocation of employees from departments that have surplus to departments that require more manpower. The State Government spends about Rs. 85.00 Crore annually for payment of leave encashment to retired employees. He observed that most of the retired employees get full benefits of 300 days of leave encashment although many may not be regular in their duties. “This has a huge financial impact on the State Government. The Government will, therefore, be examining the possibilities of either reducing the entitled number of days for leave encashment, or allowing retiring employees to avail the entitled leave before retirement,” he said. Meanwhile, NL A Speaker Chotisuh Sazo said the general discussion on budget presentation will be taken up on March 18.
ANSF condemn abduction of labours DIMAPUR, MARCH 17 (MExN): The Arunachal Naga Students’ Federation (ANSF) has condemned the abduction of two labour allegedly by members of the GPRN/NSCN from Longding district a week ago. While informing this, a press statement received from ANSF has appealed the authority of GPRN/NSCN to monitor its cadres and restrain them from “encroaching beyond the boundary of Nagaland state.” While stating that it respects “all the Naga freedom fighters,” the Federation said that “such act is totally unfit,” and appealed that “such situation should not be created again amongst Naga brethren in future, which may cause confusion among the Nagas.”
Jewellery workers in nagaland shout slogan against india Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, against the Centre’s decision to impose 1% excise duty on gold and diamond jewellery during a protest rally organized by nikhil nagaland swarna silpi samiti in Dimapur, nagaland on Thursday, March 17. Photo by Caisii Mao