Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com
Vol XXVII No. 171
DIMAPUR, sunday, may 28, 2017 Pages 12 ` 4.00
Finding my roots through pottery
Raikkonen takes Monaco GP pole
Trump condemns killing of Coptic Christians in Egypt
Sunday Post Supplement
sports, Page 12
international, Page 9
State Assembly passes GST Bill 2017
Education deptt verification for GPS survey GST FROM JULY 1,2017; EXPECTED TO STREAMLINE TAXATION AND REDUCE COSTS DIMAPUR, MAY 27 (NPN): Department of School Education (DoSE) has informed all the employees of school education that the “verification of absentees for GPS survey” has been extended till June 17, 2017 in the directorate. According to an official bulletin, the verification would be carried out as follows: Tuensang and Mon (May 29-31, 2017), Mokokchung and Wokha (June 1-3, 2017), Phek, Kiphire and Longleng (June 5- 7, 2017), Zunheboto and Peren (June 8, 9 and 12), Kohima and Dimapur (June 13-14) and directorate officers and staff (June 15-17, 2017). The documents to be produced at the time of verification include one colour passport photo; government issued ID card/ passport/voters ID card (any one), PAN Card/ AADHAAR card, appointment order and matric (HSLC) admit card. Those employees who had failed to show up during the survey at their posting places have been directed to bring valid reasons with supporting document proof for their absence during the verification. The verification is also required to be done by parttime instructors and all other CSS appointed employees under SSA, RMSA and Hindi (CSS).
ECI nominates Sinha as state CEO
DIMAPUR, MAY 27 (NPN): Election Commission of India (ECI) has nominated Abhijit Sinha, 2000 batch IAS officer of Nagaland cadre, as the chief electoral officer (CEO) for the state of Nagaland with effect from the date he takes over charge and until further orders vice Sanjay Kumar, IAS. In a notification, principal secretary ECI, Standhope Yuhlung, stated that Sinha would cease to hold and handover forthwith the charge of all or any charges of work under the Government of Nagaland, which he may be holding before such assumption of office. Election Commission of India stated that Sinha while functioning as CEO would not hold any additional charge whatsoever under the Government of Nagaland except that he should be designated secretary to the government in charge of election department in the state secretariat.
This is it!
“When ask people to unite for solution, what about in their own party?” K Y M C
Correspondent
K O H I M A , M AY 2 7 (NPN): Nagaland became among over one dozen states which have passed the Goods and Services Tax (GST)Bill after the state Legislative Assembly gave the nod to the Nagaland Goods and Services Tax Bill 2017 at the Sixteenth special session of the 12th NLA held Saturday. Chief Minister Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu who is also in-charge of the finance portfolio introduced the Bill and highlighted the merits of GST to both the state government and the consumers. Initiating the discussion before the passage of the bill, Minister for Roads and Bridges Y Vikheho Swu apprised the legislators about the benefits in implementing GST in the state. Swu was engaged with the GST council and Goods and Service Tax Network (GSNT) in preparing for the smooth introduction and implementation with the rest of the country. He said if implemented properly, the GST will bring
Chief Minister, Dr. Shurhozelie addressing the sixteenth special session of the Twelfth Assembly on May 27, 2017. (DIPR)
a number of benefits to the state such as benefits for trade and industry, benefit to the consumers, besides an increase in revenue generation for the state. The minister said there will be a benefit to consumers because of the elimination of tax cascading, the production cost will fall and prices in general was likely to fall as a result goods and services will be made available to the consumers at the cheaper price. Also he said there was likely to be a revenue gain for the state and this was very important since the state must find ways to increase its internal revenue generation which will boost
the ability of the state to spend on developmental works. However, there are challenges too, where the business community and the public will have to align with the new system in order to keep up with the change, Swu said. He said state will get additional power to levy and collect tax on services and likewise the central will also have additional power to levy and collect tax on goods. He said GST will be supported with a robust IT system which will significantly induce prompt compliance by all the stakeholders and also bring transparency. Swu said GST will boost the overall
efficiency of the tax system of the state and it will significantly improve the overall efficiency of the tax system of the state and by adding all these will be the efficient movement of goods. He said all the officers and staffs are trained at various levels and are now competent to implement GST and also to provide necessary assistance to the tax payers. On internet connectivity which was a concern for in some areas of the state he said the centre was in process of setting up a 100 Mbps satellite dedicated to the North East which will cater to connectivity issues in the remote areas. He said this was taken up specifically keeping to meet the requirements for GST and it will improve telecommunications tremendously and bridge the gap that exists today. Parliamentary secretary Tourism C.Apok Jamir opined that GST regime will create avenues for revenue generation for a state that is primarily a consumer state. Minster of School Education Yitachu said GST will
Winding up the discussion on GST Nagaland chief minister Dr.Shürhozelie Liezietsü described it as a milestone for making tax administration in the state more effective and transparent and which would benefit consumers as a whole. He said GST would also increase tax collection and also guarantee that in the event of loss of revenue, the state would be compensated for the shortfall in collection by the Centre for the next five years for which the Revenue Act was already passed by parliament. He said that presently there are multiple subjects on which taxes are levied and collected throughout the country yet various provisions of the Constitution provide the sanction and clearly define the subjects on which the Centre and the states can levy and collect taxes. The GST will also ensure avoidance of cascading tax and reduce cost of product or service and also end tax evasion since the system is a “self-policing” (Cont’d on p-8) mechanism, he said.
DUCCF reaffirms resolve NLA extends tenure of not to collect NPG tax Lokayukta select panel D I M A P U R , M AY 2 7 (NPN): Dimapur Urban Councils Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) on Saturday reaffirmed its resolution not to collect any form of taxation for the Naga Political Groups (NPGs). DUCCF through its media cell said it respected the Naga national movement and would always endeavor towards a strong united Naga nation. It, however, said the Nagas have realized that so long as the Naga national movement stays a divided house, their aspirations and dreams would never be fulfilled. This realization, DUCCF said led to adoption of Public Resolution of ‘One Government, One Tax’ (OGOT) during October 31, 2013 Public Rally held under the aegis of ACAUT. Based on this resolu-
tion, DUCCF said it had since resolved not to collect any form of taxation for the NPGs and had stood firm on the principle of OGOT. The federation asserted that various colony councils have been instituted to serve the interest of the general public, without any fear or favor, and not to act in any way that was detrimental to the wishes of the Naga public. It said that when the Naga public had resolved on OGOT and decided not to pay tax to any NPG factions, the council members cannot collect tax for NPGs. In the light of the above, the DUCCF has urged the NPGs neither to serve any taxation letters to the colonies nor to pressurize the chairmen and council members to collect tax on their behalf.
CM highlights GST
Correspondent
KOHIMA, MAY 27 (NPN): Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Saturday extended the tenure of the select committee on Nagaland Lokayukta Bill 2015 and asked to submit the report within six months. The select committee is head by parliamentary secretary Er. Levi Rengma as chairman. Other members of the committee include parliamentary secretary, R. Tohanba; parliamentary secretary, C. Apok Jamir; parliamentary secretary, Pukhayi and advisor Dr. T M Lotha. To check the rampart corruption in the state and to bring the politicians and government officials under the anti-corruption scanner, the monsoon session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly tabled Nagaland Lokayukta Bill 2015 on July 21, 2015. The Act extends to the whole state of Nagaland and applies also to the public servants posted outside Nagaland in connection with the affairs of the state of Nagaland. The Act comes under section 63 of the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act 2013 (Act no.1) of 2014 which makes provision for establishment of Lokayukta for the states to inquire into allegation of corruption against certain public functionaries and in exercise of the provision of section 63 of the Act of 2013 makes provision for passing of the Nagaland Lokayukta Act 2015.
NLA appeals to GoI to expedite political dialogue Correspondent
KO H I M A , M AY 2 7 (NPN): Nagaland Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution urging the Government of India to expedite the political dialogue and bring an early resolution of the ongoing political dialogue before the scheduled assembly elections in 2018. The resolution was introduced by chief minister, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, during the 16th (special) session of 12th Nagaland legislative assembly on Saturday. The resolution also stated that the members of the NLA in the 16th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative assembly unanimously reiterated their position to pave the way in the event of an honourable and amicable settlement arrived at as a result of the ongoing political talks. Taking part during consideration and adoption of government resolution on Naga political issue, the advisor, treasuries & accounts, relief & rehabilitation, Dr. T.M. Lotha, said that after series of talks the solution was said to be in the final stage, but till today there
was disunity among Naga people both civil society organisations and “national workers”. He informed the house that when the legislators met central leaders in Delhi, they expressed the need for Nagas to come together for any solution to be acceptable and honourable. In this regard, he appealed to both civil society groups and national workers to be united. With regard to introduced resolution, Lotha clarified that the 12th NLA members were to pave way only in the event of an honourable and amicable settlement arrived at and not the members pave the way first and the talk continues. On Friday, the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) legislature party at its meeting also resolved to request the Government of India to expedite the political dialogue and bring an early solution before the state assembly elections. The meeting also unanimously reiterated its position to pave the way in the event of an honourable and amicable settlement arrived at as a result of the ongoing political talks.
Charging of new power line
DIMAPUR, MAY 27 (NPN): Department of Power, transmission subdivision, Dimapur, has informed that the completed portion of the new 33kv Ganeshnagar-Jalukie power line would be charged with effect from May 30, 2017.
In a notice, SDO transmission sub-division, Dimapur, Rokobeito Iralu, stated that the new power line would pass through the villages including Khekiho village, Hazadisa village, Jalukie Zangdi village, Jalukiekam village, Jalukie Chessore,
Beisumpuikam village, Ahoi village, Jalukieram village, Linlen B village, Sanzuiram village and veterinary colony Jalukie. Therefore, the department has cautioned the general public to keep away from the line for the safety of all concerned.
Child protection accorded least priority Staff reporter
DIMAPUR, MAY 27 (NPN): Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dimapur and District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) chairman, Kesonyu Yhome, on Saturday said that child protection remained as the least attended priority by both government and NGOs. DC said this could be due to the fact that participation was purely voluntary service and did not involve any scheme or fund. He was delivering keynote address at the Awareness-Cum-Consultation Meet on Child Right and Child Protection at Tourist Lodge here organized by DCPU in collaboration with CHILDLINE Dimapur. Talking about child abuse in Nagaland, Yhome pointed that such incidents have been taking place mainly in educated houses. He said Naga definition of children as “my child” and
“someone’s child” was one reason behind instances of child abuse, which, he said was just the tip of the iceberg. Stressing the importance of organizing such programmes and seminars, DC asserted that “we should think about how the programme and sensitization of such campaign would benefit the society”. He said it was the responsibility of everybody including the ward community, village authorities and colony members to prevent child abuse. He also encouraged the gathering to change the mindset and take firm decision to protect the rights of the children. Dwelling on the topic, Yhome said child protection needed a human touch since it was about protecting human and children who could not defend themselves. He further challenged every individual to take the
initiative for the defenceless children who were not able to speak out for their rights. In her presentation, CHILDLINE Dimapur, programme coordinator, Lozüa Kape, highlighted on the child rights violation cases recorded and intervened by CHILDLINE within Dimapur. (see table)
Year No. Of cases 2011-12 124 2012-13 126 2013-14 202 2014-15 139 2015-16 176 2016-17 149 2017-18 16 (April) Lozüa Kape screened some snapshots of children reunion with their parents, medical cases and reported physical abuse cases, which were recorded by CHILDLINE. On children issues confronting Dimapur; she
maintained that it included customary practices, lack of concern and ignorance, threats from outside party, hard to reach out with the message to the community, lack of support system and lack of financial and manpower system. Further, she encouraged the gathering to come together to learn about the child rights and to mould the future of a child for better tomorrow. DCPU legal cum probation officer, Moajungla, gave power presentation on “Child protection and child rights” and cited the major issues of children at risk, reasons for being in difficult circumstances, negligence and responsibility of public at large and basic problems faced by the children etc. State Child Protection Society (SCPS) Kohima programme manager, Ritale Zeliang highlighted the role of village level protection committee. K Y M C