The Nagaland Cabinet, in its sitting held on Thursday, reaffirmed its position on the draft Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) with the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO), stating that the core principles as previously agreed upon must be strictly upheld. Minister and Government Spokesperson CL John, addressing the media, said the Cabinet is of the view that the remaining 12 points of contention can be resolved through further negotiation.
Reforms to Inner Line Permit (ILP) framework
The Cabinet was briefed by the Home Department on the status of ILP enforcement in the State, particularly in the context of Dimapur. Following detailed deliberations, the Cabinet approved a series of measures to streamline and expand the ILP framework:
Central/State government employees: Valid ID cards will be accepted for their families and departmental dependents in place of an ILP.
Private sector employees: Heads of registered public or private firms can act as guarantors for their employees.
Expansion of ILP portal categories: The online ILP application portal will now include categories not previously reflected, such as drivers, architects, housewives, lawyers, skilled professionals, unemployed individuals, non-school-going children, tenants, social workers, and employees in private banks and consultancy firms.
Employer certification: Certification from employers will be accepted, but must be supported by a house owner or landlord’s endorsement.
Inhabitant certificate misuse: The Cabinet expressed concern over reports that non-Nagas have availed indigenous inhabitant certificates. The Home Department has been directed to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a comprehensive report through the Commissioner of Nagaland.
Village register fee sharing: The Cabinet approved a revenue-sharing arrangement for the levy of village register maintenance fees, in a 2:1 ratio between the government and the village councils.
Transit passengers: Transit passengers will be exempted from producing ILP.
Online ILP issuance: Until smart cards are issued for Category 1 and 2 individuals, online issuance of ILPs will continue.
Notification supersession: The Home Department’s Office Memorandum dated February 6, 2020, will be superseded by the notification dated September 20, 2024.
Absorption of assistant professors
The Cabinet also reviewed the report submitted by the committee on the absorption of 147 Assistant Professors under the Department of Higher Education. The recommendations of the High-Powered Committee were acknowledged, but the Cabinet directed the department to re-examine the post creation proposal following due process and resubmit it for approval.
Gas pipeline project update
On the progress of the gas pipeline project being implemented by Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL), the Cabinet was informed that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) have been issued for 107 km of the proposed 140 km pipeline. The Cabinet has directed the concerned authorities to expedite the issuance of the remaining NOC for the pending 33 km stretch.
Nagaland Cabinet Meets A K Mishra on Naga Issue
The Nagaland Cabinet on Thursday met A K Mishra, the Government of India’s interlocutor for the Naga peace talks.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Minister for Tourism & Higher Education and government spokesperson Temjen Imna Along described the engagement as a brief discussion on the Naga political issue with Mishra and his team, held in the Chief Minister’s chamber at the State Civil Secretariat.
“The cabinet is serious about the Naga political issue as Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had clearly told Mishra and his team that the aspiration of Nagas is to see a settlement as soon as possible… is to see a solution as soon as possible so that Nagaland can also be part of the journey of a Viksit Bharat 2047, which is envisioned by everybody,” news agency PTI quoted Along as saying.
Mishra, who has been in Nagaland since Tuesday, held a series of closed-door meetings with different Naga groups. These included talks with the NSCN-IM soon after his arrival and separate meetings with the two divided factions of the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups on Wednesday at the Police Complex in Chumoukedima district.
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