Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVII No. 115
DIMAPUR, saturday, april 1, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00
Pak incites trouble in J&K using social media: India
Konta conquers Venus in Miami
South Korea’s ousted President arrested
national, Page 7
sports, Page 12
international, Page 9
White paper on `463.52 crore added to deficit
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, MAR 31 (NPN): As per the budget figures contained in the budget speech of chief minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsü, who also holds the crucial finance portfolio, the financial year (2017-18) is expected to close with a negative balance (deficit) projected at Rs.1437.84 crore. The explanation for the deficit was cited on the negative opening balance of the previous year (2016-17) at Rs.1426 crore. In the transaction during the period 2016-17, it was expected to end with a positive balance of Rs. 220 crore. However due to the negative opening balance of Rs.1657.87 crore for 2017-18 the financial year was expected to close with a negative balance of Rs.1437.84 crore. There was however one factor that had not been highlighted except by BJP legislator Mmhonlumo during the discussion on the budget. He pointed out
State govt notifies on service length
D IMAPUR, MAR 31 (NPN): State government has notified that the period of service rendered on ad hoc/contract/workcharged/substitute basis would be treated as public employment and included in computation of length of service for the purpose of pension under the Nagaland Retirement from Public Employment (2nd Amendment) Act, 2009. According to an official bulletin, this was stated in an office memorandum from the P&AR department, which was issued following a landmark judgement and order dated March 14, 2017 in W.A. No. 5(K) of 2017, the Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court. While passing the judgement, the court observed that “in view of the expressed provision defining public employment which does not distinguish between regular appointment and adhoc/contract/work-charged appointment for the purpose of retirement, period rendered on such basis has to be computed for the purpose of computation of 35 years of public employment”. This OM supersedes all office memoranda on the subject including the P&AR Department memorandum dated August 1, 2012, it stated.
This is it!
“Well, in our days we had to earn. Now you are skilled but unable to earn.” K Y M C
that the closing deficit of the previous year(2015-16) was projected at Rs.1191.35 crore. Kikon pointed out that as the opening deficit for the financial year 2016-17 was to the tune of Rs.1657.87 crore while the closing deficit for the same period was to the tune of Rs.119.35 crore; a whopping Rs.463.52 crore was added to the later cited figure. This implied that there has been an increased deficit of Rs.463.52 crore during the period 201617. The MLA had asked the chief minister to bring out a white paper on the financial transactions during 2016-17 so as to bring out the facts on how such a huge amount was added as deficit and who were involved. The 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly had voted the 2017-18 budget of 16,375.42crore on March 30, 2017 showing an increase by Rs.2716.68 crore over the previous year’s budget (2016-17) of Rs.13658.74 crore. Even
in the previous year, as per the standard operating procedure of the finance department, there was the same window dressing where it stated that Rs.225 crore (managed from whatever sources) would reduce the deficit. Even in the present budget the finance department has come out with the ‘200’ figure (positive transaction). It may be pointed out that having reflected higher receipts of Rs.2716.68 crore from the previous year; a huge amount of money has transacted through the finance department. Therefore, the demand for a white paper on the 2016-17 transactions is not only a just demand but one that the public would be most keen to know. Nagaland is the highest recipient of funds from the government of India as state share of central taxes which made grants to devolution as per the formula worked out by the 14th Finance Commission.
DVC reminds govt on ULBs
DIMAPUR, MAR 31 (NPN): Diphupar Village Council (DVC) has reminded State government to implement its decision (to initiate the process of dialogue and consultation with the stakeholders on election to the ULBs in order to arrive at a broad based consensus on the issue) in letter and spirit at the earliest, which would be acceptable to the people. DVC made this statement, while lauding chief minister, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsü for taking up the issue on Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) elections at the recently concluded Assembly Session, where he had announced the government’s decision to initiate the process of dialogue and consultation with the stakeholders on election to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). In this regard, DVC chairman Lanutoshi and secretary E.Philip Lotha
said that it was time to “explore all parties to find an amicable solution rather than justifying own position”. The council also praised State government for the successful conduct of the 12th Assembly Session under the leadership of Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsü. DVC also appreciated the government for listening to the voice of the people in fulfilling some of their demands- stepping down of the then chief minister, TR Zeliang from his chair and nullifying ULB elections held on February 1, 2017. However, DVC reminded the government that the recent unrest and its resulted destruction to both government and public properties after government decision to hold ULB election was a matter of great concern for every law abiding Naga citizens.
CMO defends Dr. Shürhozelie
DIMAPUR, MAR 31 (NPN): Reacting to NPCC’s attack on the chief minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) through its media cell on Friday said that if Dr Shürhozelie has now become the chief minister it was because of constitutional provisions and parliamentary procedures, and not through backdoor or front door, as alleged by the Congress party. In a press release, CMO media cell said that going by the logic put forth by the Congress party that the party president became the chief minister by “default”, it would appear that the Congress party has been made redundant in today’s context by “their fault” and not anybody else’s fault as all its legislators and senior leaders parted ways with it leaving a few rejects to man the organization. Reminding how Dr. Manmohan Singh became the union finance minister in 1991 when he had to be hurriedly elected from Assam as a Rajya Sabha member and how late PV Narasimha Rao became the Prime Minister without being a member of either House of Parliament,
alleges JCC rejects state govt’s reply landENPUD encroachment
Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, MAR 31 (NPN): Joint Co-ordination Committee (JCC) on Friday rejected the letter issued by the Home department, in response to the March 8 ultimatum issued by JCC and Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) demanding suspension of officials/personnel involved in January 31 firing incidents in Dimapur and Longleng. In the letter signed by Home commissioner Abhijit Sinha, the government informed JCC/NTAC that the suspension of officials and police personnel would “neither be justifiable nor proper” at a stage when demand for impartial judicial probe had been duly considered and examined from all aspects. The letter also stated it would be appropriate to wait for the JIC report before taking any action against the officials and other personnel. According to JCC, the stand of the State government was in contravention of the law and therefore rejected the letter. Citing CCS (CCA) Rule 10 which states that a government servant may be placed under suspension: “where a disciplinary pro(Cont’d on p-8) ceeding against him is con-
templated or is pending; or (a) where, in the opinion of the authority aforesaid, he has engaged himself in activities prejudicial to the interest of the security of the State; or (b) where a case against him in respect of any criminal offence is under investigation, inquiry or trial......,” JCC advised the state government not to go against the established law to avoid any misadventure. It further informed that the former CP, Dimapur and DCP (II) were already transferred out. Through the letter, the government also requested JCC/NTAC to suggest a suitable person for inclusion in the three member body of JIC, which it said would also expand its scope of investigation to include all violent incidents that occurred in connection with ULB elections. Transferring of DC Longleng may be considered for free and impartial inquiry, it added.
Slams CM’s statement
Joint Co-ordination Committee (JCC) on Friday came down heavily on Nagaland chief minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsü for his “test of patience” statement, following the renewed ulti-
matum served on the government by JCC demanding suspension of several officials allegedly involved in January 31 firing incidents in Dimapur and Longleng. Addressing media persons here Chakesang Hoho building on Monday, JCC convenor Supu Jamir said such unbecoming language of the chief minister was an “exhibition of his arrogance and narrow-mindedness which demeans the chair of the chief minister.” JCC also accused Dr. Shürhozelie of being “ignorant about rule of law” for his statement that the bullet retrieved from the injured youth did not belong to weapon used by state police. While asking Dr. Shürhozelie to explain from whose gun the bullet was shot, JCC advised CM not to speak about the investigation since the JIC was yet to be formed. JCC further expressed apprehension whether JIC would be able to conduct an impartial inquiry saying Dr. Shürhozelie’s statement could influence the course and outcome of the inquiry. Meanwhile, meeting between JCC, NTAC and apex tribes bodies has been called on April 5, 12 noon at Chakesang Hoho building.
DIMAPUR, MAR 31 (NPN): Eastern Nagaland People’s Union Dimapur (Dimapur) has taken serious note on the prevailing situations at “Sangtemtilla village” under Dimapur, where some few vested interest individuals/parties were trying to encroach upon the Sangtemtilla village jurisdiction boundary line with the sole intention of occupying the land. According to ENPUD president M.C. Ongbou Chang and general secretary Jeange Yanlem Konyak, Sangtemtilla village was established in the year 1951(as per written documents and oral transition) and since then has been living harmoniously with its neighbouring villages. However, some persons while trying to encroach upon the land have created fear and tension to the peaceful village. In this regard, ENPUD on behalf of the eastern people living in Dimapur district has appealed to those people or persons to restraint from such illegal move. It also appealed to the district administration to take up the matter for an early amicable solution.
Petrol and diesel price slashed NEW DELHI, MAR 31 (AGENCIES): Public Sector Oil Marketing Company, Indian Oil has reduced the retail price of petrol by Rs 3.77 per litre and Diesel by Rs 2.91/litre. An official statement said, “The current level of international product prices of Petrol & Diesel and INRUSD exchange rate warrant decrease in selling price of Petrol and Diesel, the impact of which is being passed on to the consumers with this price revision.” The revised prices will be effective from midnight March 31/April 1.
Corrigendum
Apropos the news item ‘Rs.16000 cr budget passed by NLA’ published on March 31, the first para should be reads as “Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) passed a budget for 2017-18 amounting to Rs. 16,375.42 crore by voice vote...” and not as published. (Cont’d on p-8) Correspondent
NPF hits back at ACAUT; Therie slams NPF
ACAUT un-mandated, says NPF NPF springboard of RSS-BJP: Therie DIMAPUR, MAR 31 (NPN): NPF central through its media & press bureau has slammed ACAUT for posing a challenge for a public debate on corruption, terming it as an un-mandated organisation with a few busy-bodies spearheading its supposedly social crusade with utopian aim to cure the society of all social ills in a matter of months. NPF reminded ACAUT that the ‘common platform on Naga issue’ organized by it on September 21, 2015, “turned out to be a huge flop and a slap on the face with all mass-based civil societies boycotting it.” It said the turnout was embarrassing as only a handful made it and pictures of empty chairs were acutely pitiful. The party advised ACAUT members to understand that NPF does not defend or condone any kind of corruption in the system. “But the deep-rooted corruption in the society is all-pervading and needs concerted efforts of everyone to eradicate it,” said NPF, adding: “we cannot expect miracles to happen right in front of our eyes.” However, providing good governance to the people being the professed and avowed stand of the NPF-led DAN government, NPF said (Cont’d on p-8)
Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has once again turned its gun towards NPF alleging that the party was the springboard political party of the RSS-BJP in the state, partially responsible for installing BJP in the North East. In a press note NPCC president, K. Therie said there was a belief in the minds of the people that unless “we are close to the central govt. at Delhi, we cannot run the state govt, expecting special plan assistance and special non-plan assistance to wipe out the deficits and shortfall of cash in the Civil Deposit.” However, deep in their inner mind, the BJP recognises that whatever Nagas say, Nagaland is a Christian State, Therie said. It said the Finance ministry or any other ministry in the BJP Govt. would be answerable to RSS for giving any special assistance to a Christian state like Nagaland. However, he said the UPA government considering government employees as citizens of India without any political colour, released Rs. 712 crore as special non-plan assistance and Rs 326 crore as special planassistance. “If the BJP govt. cannot even release the entitlements under the 14th FC award, then what is the (Cont’d on p-8) K Y M C