March 29, 2017

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVII No. 112

DIMAPUR, wednesday, march 29, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00

Mehbooba asks militants to give up arms

India reclaim BorderGavaskar Trophy

Donald Trump to sign climate-change order

national, Page 5

sports, Page 12

international, Page 9

Shürho presents `1437.84 cr deficit budget Govt to focus on poor, health: CM he called for departments to focus more on effective implementation of CSS and compete for central funds with each other instead of squabbling for funds from the small state flexible fund. Dr. Shürhozelie expressed concern over the fact that during 2016-17 out of CSS fund of around Rs.3344 crore indicated to the state by the centre, the state was able to access barely 50% and rooted for improvement in performance to avail central funds earmarked for the state. He also informed that from March 31,2017 the central government has decided to transfer subsidies and welfare schemes directly to beneficiaries through the Direct Benefits Transfer route and all existing payments will stop. Dr. Shürhozelie also informed that under the new initiatives undertaken by the state agriculture department Nagaland will be receiving a total of Rs.237.83 crore from International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) spread over a six-year period and covering eight of the 11 districts. Those excluded include

–Dimapur; while Tuensang and Peren which are also excluded are already covered under the World Bank aided ‘North East Rural Livelihoods Programme (NERLP)’. The project will cover 1.3lakh rural households and focus mainly on improving jhum areas. Under Forestry sector external aid from Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA) will aim to improve forest eco-system and promote awareness on rural income generation by providing livelihood covering 79,000 Hectares at an estimated cost of Rs.533 crore implementable over a ten-year period. Other projects mentioned included augmentation of water supply to Kohima to be inaugurated by April 2017 and also the four-lane road construction from Dimapur to Kohima along NH 29. Dr. Shürhozelie also informed that from July 1, 2017 the new GST regime will become effective in Nagaland as with all states in India. He said GST will streamline tax under on regime by replacing about one dozen Central and state taxes.

tor ie, education, health, water supply, followed by rural development 19%, agri and allied sector 13 %. He said inspite of Nagaland being a resource crunched state he endeavoured to reduce the budget deficit during the coming year. On the backdoor appointments, the chief minister replied that in the past there could have been excess appointment and government has decided to be more careful. He added that appointment of more in some sector was unavoidable. To queries on the June 6, 2016 memorandum Dr. Shürhozelie said prior to that there was clear standing order that those appointed on contract or adhoc should go for suitability test for regularization. He reiterated that it was justified since regularization of services after conducting suitability test was not backdoor appointment as per a standing order. He however clarified that the cabinet on June 6, 2016 has decided that those appointed on emergency or contingency basis have no right to claim for regularization of their service on completion of three years. He also informed that

government will check on the 2010 office memorandum where it has exempted police department from seeking state government approval for appointments. To queries on the increasing deficit, finance commissioner Temjen Toy said during the course of the year, there was number of difficulties and the revenue receipts has gone down, there was a reduction of borrowing ceiling by as much as Rs. 141 crore this was because of the revision of GDSP by central government which was beyond the control of the state. He justified that more unavoidable expenditure occurs thereby with all these the deficit has gone up. On improvement on the state financing system Toy said the entire scheme of financing has changed though the fact was that 14th FC has been friendly in giving much increased revenue deficit grant yet he said it was not enough and state was not in good position. FC also replied that state has received Rs. 3451 crores revenue deficit grant during 2016-17 while for 2017-18 it was increased to Rs. 3700 crores.

NLA passes resolution on border fencing

State inflated with 373 incomplete projects

State-wide Pen down strike withdrawn

Correspondent

Correspondent

KO H I M A , M A R 2 8 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsü, who holds the crucial finance portfolio, presented his maiden budget on Tuesday which showed a closing negative balance of Rs.1437.84 crore despite the current year’s (2016-17) transaction resulted in positive balance of Rs.220.04 crore. (See table) In his speech the chief minister lamented that the recommendations of the 14th FC effective from 201516 under NITI Aayog had left special category states like Nagaland without enough funds for development although NITI Aayog held the view that with 10% increase in funds , states will have enough money to undertake their own development programmes. He said in the past a substantial portion of state budget came under ‘Plan’ head which included Normal Plan Assistance , Special Plan Assistance (SPA) and Additional Central Assistance(ACA) which used to be available under the erstwhile and disbanded

JCC serves 3-day deadline on govt DIMAPUR, MAR 28 (NPN): Consequent upon State government’s failure to meet their demand-- suspension of former commissioner of police, DC Longleng and police personnel involved in the indiscriminate firing on January 31, 2017, the Joint Co-ordination Committee (JCC) on Tuesday served three-day deadline on the government. The decision was taken at the meeting of JCC on March 27, 2017. JCC resolved to stage protest/partial bandh obstructing government establishments and movement of government registered vehicles in the event government failed to take up demand, after the expiry of the deadline (March 31, 2017). Therefore, JCC has appealed to the people to be prepared for further course of action. It may be noted that JCC on March 7, had served seven days ultimatum on the government demanding suspension of former commissioner of police, DC Longleng and police personnel involved in the indiscriminate firing on January 31, 2017. However, on March 11, the Cabinet Sub-Committee requested for extension for 10 days. But till now no action has been initiated, JCC said.

This is it!

“We must demand government funding of election. Otherwise, how can we return to power like this?” K Y M C

A: 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 by State Govt Total B: Expenditures Non-Plan Expenditure (excluding Servicing of Debt) Servicing of Debt (including repayment of WMA) Plan Expenditure (including CSS) Total C. Balance (A-B) D. Public Account (Net) E. Current Transactions (A-B+D)

Planning Commission. Though 10% increase in state share of Central Taxes were given to the special category states, yet other than covering the revenue deficits, it did not meet the required component for development works. S P B a p p r ove d f o r 2017-18 sectoral allocation of development funds to the tune of Rs.3720.51 crore of which CSS and Central Flagship schemes account for Rs.3070.51 cr while state sector accounted for Rs.650 cr which is only 17% of total development outlay. Again out of the Rs.650 cr he said the government has to meet

(Rs. In crore) 795.96 3200.00 6860.94 5798.45 1.91 16,657.26 6526.84 6117.82 3720.51 16,365.17 292.09 -72.05 220.04

its 10% state’s share of CSS and also earmark not less than 50% for state’s “flexible fund” towards meeting state’s share of various projects besides having to meet financial requirements for state’s priority schemes such as LADP,VDB Grant-inAid, UADP and completing of ongoing works undertaken earlier under state scheme. In order to tackle growing deficit-cycle Dr. Shürhozelie called for economising non-plan revenue expenditure while improving revenue mobilisation in order to make more funds available for development. Secondly,

NPCC attacks NPF on backdoor appointments DIMAPUR, MAR 28 (NPN): NPCC has attacked NPF Press & Media Bureau for “staunchly” defending backdoor appointments, when the NPF-BJP government itself has been plagued with “contagious bacteria of backdoor appointments”. In a press statement, NPCC media cell asserted that not only ACAUT but all citizens have the right to demand justice and equal opportunity as enshrined in the constitution. Therefore, NPCC said that there was no question of whether the appointments was given to local or non-local, qualified or nonqualified and deserving or non deserving youths. But, since the government cannot control the biasness and partisan action and has violated the provisions of constitution, rules and regulation, and its affirmation before God and

people to do right, they have no moral authority to rule. Congress also cautioned the people not to expect justice from NPF-BJP rule as they have totally lost control and became rudderless. Rather, NPCC alleged that they would continue to defend corruption and backdoor appointments since it was their lifeline for survival. NPCC also claimed that despite bringing any progress in the state, the NPF during its 14 years in power, has only managed to “become the spring board for Hindutva forces in Nagaland”. NPCC further assured to cleanse the present system of backdoor appointments if given the opportunity and also vowed to provide equal opportunity to lakhs of educated unemployed youth through open advertisement and recruitment with provisions for backward reservations.

Correspondent

KO H I M A , M A R 2 8 (NPN): Nagaland Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution seeking Centre to request Myanmar government to permanently drop the Indo-Myanmar border fencing project. The resolution was passed by voice vote without any amendment. The resolution introduced in the House by Health and Family Welfare minister, P. Longon on March 24 last reads: “This House requests the Government of India to impress upon the Government of Myanmar to permanently drop the project of construction of fencing on the Indo-Myanmar border in the State of Nagaland with a view to continuing the cordial and fraternal relations amongst the Nagas living on both sides of the border.”

Correspondents

KO H I M A , M A R 2 8 (NPN): Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India report pointed out that Nagaland has 373 incomplete projects in 36 departments with a total estimated cost of Rs. 3004.76 crore out of which Rs 2100.61 crore had already been incurred as expenditure for the projects. The C&AG report presented by the chief minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu at the ongoing budget session stated that out of the total incomplete projects, 211 projects at an estimated cost of Rs 2110.91 crore and an actual expenditure of Rs 1091.36 crore were due to be completed by March 2016. However, it stated that projects remained incomplete even by October 2016 while 2 projects with an estimated cost of Rs 10.93 crore and actual expendi-

KO H I M A , M A R 2 8 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu after presenting the budget said that the main focus are of his government in the new fiscal would be education, health and water. Briefing media persons at the NLA conference hall, he said state government’s focus will be to elevate the poor people, and said Centre has changed the system of financing where subsidies will directly go to the beneficiaries and said with this “we hope to reach the poor and neediest”, CM said. He admitted that in the past the benefits did not reach the beneficiaries for whom the programme was meant for thereby he said with the change of system it can help them further and improve their condition. The chief minister said the budget envisages a total expenditure of Rs. 16,375 crore from the consolidated fund during 2017-18. Out of this he said Rs. 12,655 crore was for non plan expenditure and Rs. 3724 crores is for plan expenditure. He said in 39% of the budget will be for social sec-

ture of Rs 10.47 crore were abandoned. The reports stated that owing to the delay in completion of the projects, the intended benefits from those projects did not reach the beneficiaries in the state. Moreover the date of completion in respect of 57 projects could not be furnished by the concerned departments stated the report. Department of Under Developed Area (DUDA) topped the list of incompletion of projects with a record 75 incomplete projects at an estimated cost of Rs 83.69 crore and a cumulative expenditure of Rs 23.83 crore. Next was Veterinary and Animal Husbandry with 60 incomplete projects at an estimated cost of Rs 48.71 crore and a cumulative expenditure of Rs 20.60 crore. Police Engineering Project had 53 incomplete

projects at a staggering estimated cost of Rs 701.71 crore and a cumulative expenditure of Rs 181.35 crore. Public Works Department (Roads and Bridges) had 34 incomplete projects at an estimated cost of Rs 642.85 crore and a cumulative expenditure of Rs 502.77 crore while Deputy Commissioner (HQ) had 26 incomplete projects at an estimated cost or Rs 9 crore but zero cumulative expenditure. PWD (Housing) has 19 incomplete projects at the cost of Rs 346.71 crore and a cumulative expenditure of Rs 203. 64 crore, Urban Development had 14 incomplete projects at an estimated cost of Rs 378.75 crore and a cumulative expenditure of Rs 149.08 crore. Public health Engineering Department had 13 incomplete projects with an

CAG detects anomalies in various state departments Correspondent

KOHIMA, MAR 28 (NPN): Various anomalies were detected in several state government departments as per the annual report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the period ending March 31, 2016 on social, economic, revenue and general sectors, tabled on Tuesday at the 15th session of 12th Nagaland legislative Assembly. In the customary briefing to media persons later in the evening, Accountant General (Audit) Nagaland, A.P. Chophy IAAS, highlighted irregularities of various departments of the state as contained in a hand out distributed to media at the press briefing at AG Office. On being asked his reaction on the huge misappropriation of the state’s fund, the Accountant general (Audit) replied that it was a frustrating and a matter of great concern

but the responsibility and mandate of CAG was to audit the transaction of the state government and present the report to the assembly including irregularities and shortcoming over which the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has to give recommendation to take action on the misappropriations of the fund. To another query, Chophy said the CAG did audit throughout the year and major irregularities of departments were brought to the notice of the head of the department and give inspection report and incorporated in CAG report. He said once the CAG report submits it to the assembly the report is placed in public domain and everyone can view from the website at www.agnagaland.gov.in Asked about his own opinion on how to reduce the deficit, Chophy said the fiscal deficit can be reduced only when corruption and misap-

propriation were checked. CAG listed some of the anomalies and irregularities detected in various departments. In finance (treasuries and accounts department) an amount of Rs. 5.58 crore was fraudulently withdrawn from treasuries at Zunheboto and Dimapur by duplicating the pension payment authorisation letters issued by the accountant general (A&E) and also admitted multiple claims in respect of the same pension payment order and same persons for the same period. Failure of the drawing and disbursing officers (DDOs) and treasury officers in exercising the statutory checks prescribed under various rules resulted in fraudulent drawal of Rs. 1.96 crore under six departments namely school education department, official of four DDOs fraudulently withdrawn Rs. 96.74 lakh by presenting false bills, inflating the net total of the bill , double

drawal etc. V&AH: In veterinary and animal husbandry department, the two DDOs had withdrawn an amount of Rs. 46.57 lakh towards travelling allowances claim without budgetary provisions. The additional deputy commissioner (ADC) Niuland fraudulently drew Rs. 37.99 lakh by presenting 12 false bills while the sub-divisional officer (civil) Akuluto incurred excess TA expenditure of Rs. 3. 73 lakh over the budget provision. Two EEs of the public works (R&B) department fraudulently drew Rs. 9.12 lakh on behalf of non-existent employees. One DDO of sericulture department fraudulently drew an amount of Rs.99 lakh as house rent arrear which was already drawn earlier. The assistant general manager (AGM) NST Zunheboto inflated the total of the pay and allowances for the months from March 2015 to May 2015 and fraudulently drew an excess

amount of Rs. 1.24 lakh. MAD: Under Municipal Affairs Department (MAD), the CAG disclosed that the additional director department of Municipal Affairs cell arbitrarily altered the specification of the Roto crates. Instead of the capacity of 100 litre Roto crates (model : RFLB 60 LI) which was approved, the supplier was asked to supply 60 litre capacity at the same rate (Rs. 6905 per unit) and the full amount of Rs. 1.11 crore was paid to the supplier without actual receipt of the materials. TE: In Technical Education department, the CAG disclosed that an amount of Rs. 5.08 crore received as compensation from National Institute of Technology (NIT) for the standing building and land but was not deposited in government account and was irregularly diverted bypassing the legislative financial control and accountability.

(Cont’d on p-7)

DIMAPUR, MAR 28 (NPN): State services associations have decided to withdraw the ongoing statewide pen down of the state government employees subject to fulfilment of its two conditions. In a letter to the chief s e c r e t a r y, C A N S S E A president and state service associations convenor, S. Takatuba Aier, stated that the office bearers of the associations after deliberating the offer of the government decided to accept the offer in principle subject to the following conditions: That the government immediately issue notification for implementation of 7th ROP notionally w.e.f. June 1, 2017 and actual payment from January 1, 2018. That the increment be effected from December 1, 2017 on the basis of notional fixation effected from June 1, 2017 and the same be mentioned (Cont’d on p-7) in the said notification.

Ex-IBM Hepong dies; CM, others condole

DIMAPUR, MAR 28 (NPN): Ex-Interim Body Member (IBM) and first regional council member of Phom area, M. Hepong Phom passed away Tuesday afternoon after a brief illness at Dimapur. He was 102. He is survived by his wife, five sons and two daughters. Funeral service would be held at his residence at Signal Angami, Phom Colony, Dimapur, on March 29, at 10 am. After which his body would be taken to his native village Bhumnyu for final rite. Nagaland chief minister Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu, NLA speaker Dr. Imtiwapang Aier and others have condoled the passing away of ex-IMB M. Hepong Phom. In a condolence message to Lemei Phom daughter of late Hepong Phom, Dr. Shurhozelie said Hepong was known as “quasi-legislature which midwifed Nagaland “as he braved all threats and intimidations and stepped forward to boldly shoulder the responsibilities that saw the formation of State of Nagaland as the 16th State in the Union of India. Dr. Shurhozelie also recalled during the period (1961-63) where members of IBM representing their respective tribes and regions underwent many difficulties and some even as(Cont’d on p-8) sassinated. (Cont’d on p-8) K Y M C


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