Nagaland Principal Secretary for Law & Justice Kikheto meets Union Law Minister Meghwal in Delhi; central support likely within two months
In a major move aimed at strengthening Nagaland’s legal infrastructure, the State’s Principal Secretary for Law & Justice, Y Kikheto Sema, IAS, met with Union Minister for Law & Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal at Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi. The meeting was a follow-up to commitments made by the Union Minister during his previous visits to Nagaland on October 22, 2024, and April 12, 2025.
At the centre of the discussions was Nagaland’s urgent request to increase the quota of Notary Publics from 200 to 400 under Rule 8(4A) of the Notaries Rules, 1956. Sema pointed out that “the original quota of 200 was allotted during statehood in 1963, when Nagaland had just three districts and a population of 3.7 lakhs,” whereas the state now comprises 20 districts and an estimated population of 22.58 lakhs. This demographic and administrative expansion has created “a substantial demand for notarial services,” Sema told the Union Minister.
Union Minister Meghwal, accompanied by Additional Secretary (Legal Affairs) Ashutosh Mishra, assured that the proposal “would be duly considered” and that the necessary amendment to the Rules could be expected within two months.
Rs 299 Crore more needed to complete High Court
Raising another longstanding concern, Sema reminded the Union Minister that Nagaland may be the only state in India yet to receive central funding for a High Court building. “Despite financial constraints, the state government has already invested Rs 242 crore,” he said, but an additional Rs 299 crore is required to complete the project.
In response, Meghwal assured that the matter had been taken up with the Ministry of Finance, expressing hope that the funding could be considered within the current financial year.
Push for District Courts in new districts
Sema further sought central support for constructing District Court complexes at Nuiland, Tseminyu, and Shamator, where land acquisition has already been approved. He also urged for early release of funds for the ongoing construction of courts in Mon and Noklak and other district-level projects.
Union Minister Meghwal, along with Joint Secretary (Justice) Gaurav Masaldan, said that the proposals would be considered subject to the completion of requisite procedures and compliance with the SNA-SPARSH system, recently introduced by the Government of India for fund release under Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).