Kohima, 11 September (MTNews): The first day of the four-day monsoon session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly began today where three bills were introduced, and an Act was repealed.
The Act in question, the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993, was repealed, and replaced by the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.
In addition, the House adopted a resolution concerning the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Amendment Act, 2019, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Rules, 2020. Both the repeal motion and the resolution were presented by the Chief Minister.
During the day’s proceedings, three bills were also introduced. Minister for Health and Family Welfare, P Paiwang Konyak, presented the Nagaland Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Nagaland Passengers & Goods Taxation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Meanwhile, Minister for Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, introduced the North East Christian University (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023. Assembly Speaker Sharingain Longkumer informed the House that the consideration and passage of these three bills would take place on Tuesday.
Earlier, the assembly secretary-in-charge, Khruohituonuo Rio, reported the Governor’s assent to several bills, including the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 (Repeal Bill, 2023); Nagaland Fire and Emergency Services Bill, 2021; Nagaland Goods and Services Tax (Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2022; Nagaland Appropriation Bill (No. 1), 2023, and Nagaland Appropriation Bill (No. 2), 2023. All of these bills had been passed during the March session of the House.
The Chief Minister and the Speaker paid tribute to former minister and sitting MLA Noke Wangnao, who passed away on August 28. He was the longest-serving legislator in the state’s history.
Clarifications on Nagaland State Lotteries and ASI Strength
MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu raised concerns regarding Nagaland State Lotteries in a starred question today. In response, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio clarified that no cases had been registered against authorized dealers associated with Nagaland State Lotteries. However, there have been instances where FIRs were filed against individuals involved in selling counterfeit or duplicate Nagaland State Lotteries tickets. He also emphasized that no investigations had been conducted against Nagaland State Lotteries by central agencies. Furthermore, Rio stated that there were no confirmed cases of GST evasion, as alleged, and reassured that the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) regularly conducts audits.
Nienu also raised an unstarred question regarding the number of Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs) under DEF Nagaland. In response, Deputy Chief Minister & Minister in-charge of Home, Y Patton, stated that the sanctioned strength of ASI posts under DEF Nagaland is 352. He also explained that the criteria for ASI promotion to the next rank of Sub-Inspector (SI) involve a 50% direct recruitment and 50% promotion from the available vacancies at any given time.
MLA Achumbemo inquired about the areas in Nagaland covered by AFSPA. In response, Deputy Chief Minister & Minister in-charge of Home, Y Patton, informed that 18 Police Stations in the State do not fall under the purview of AFSPA. Regarding the progress of construction for the Ethung Post under the Bhandari sub-station, Patton stated that the work is advancing well and is expected to be completed by March 2024. He also clarified that there is no proposal to upgrade the Merapani Border Magistrate’s office.
Regarding the issued Inner Line Permits (ILPs), Patton provided the following information: from 1 January 2023 to the present, there have been 6,899 new ILPs issued; 13,782 renewed ILPs; and 10,587 ILPs issued to tourists.
Projects worth Rs 3,816.64 lakh allocated for Kiphire’s Aspirational District
In response to an unstarred question raised by MLA C Kipili Sangtam regarding schemes within the Kiphire Aspirational District, it was revealed that a total project cost of Rs 3,816.64 lakh has been allocated from various funding sources for the Aspirational District of Kiphire, as outlined below: NITI Aayog: Rs 1,905.31 lakh; Ministry of Skill Development & North Eastern Council (NEC): Rs 552.76 lakh; Government of Nagaland: Rs. 100.00 lakh; Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Rs. 958.57 lakh; Tribal Affairs (Article 275(1)): Rs 300 lakh. Furthermore, it was informed that from 2018 until the present date, a total of Rs 2,701.22 lakh has been sanctioned for various projects.
Power line connectivity for Sangsangyu-Tobu revealed
Kohima, 11 September (MTNews): In response to questions raised by MLA Neiba Konyak, the Minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs, KG Kenye, clarified that there is currently no power line connectivity between Sangsangyu in Tuensang District and Tobu in Mon District. He further announced that the Department intends to propose the inclusion of a 33kV power line from Sangsangyu, Tuensang District, to Tobu, Mon District, along with the establishment of a sub-station in Tobu. This proposal is slated for consideration during the upcoming financial year, 2024-25, under the State Plan.
NLA pays tribute
Members of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly paid tribute to Late Noke Wangnao and Late Manwai Awang on the first day of the Second Session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio made the obituary reference to the passing away of Late Noke Wangnao and Speaker, NLA, Sharingain Longkumer made the obituary references to the passing away of Late Noke Wangnao and Late Manwai Awang. The Members also observed a minute of silence for the departed souls. Late Noke Wangnao, a former Minister and sitting member of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, expired on 28 August 2023 and Late Manwai Awang, former member the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, expired on 7 July 2023.