Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday informed the State Assembly that he was not aware of the progress of political talks between the Centre and the NSCN (I-M) since it was not a party to the dialogue between the two.
Replying to a joint query of CLP Leader Tokheho Yepthomi and Congress legislator KV Pusa during Question Hour, Rio said the political dialogue between the Centre and the NSCN (I-M) had been going on for the past many years since the cease-fire agreement between the two.
He said since the state government was not a party to the on-going dialogue, it was not possible for him to say about the progress of the negotiation for settlement of the Naga political problem.
The construction of a Cricket Stadium at Sovima near Dimapur town figured in the Assembly with Opposition members questioning the government for nine fold hike in the initial work order of the project.
The Congress members wanted to know how the cost of construction was projected at Rs 72 crore rupees when the work order was issued to the contractor at little over Rs eight Crore.
Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Resources and Sports Naiba Konyak said under Phase-One of the cricket stadium the play ground had been developed and so far seven Crore and sixty-three Lakh Rupees had been paid.
Congress member Kheto pointed out that the current year’s budget allotted Rs forty-six Crore for construction of the stadium and the Government paid only Rs seven crore and 63 lakh to the contractor.
He asked the Government clarify where the rest of about Rs 39 crore had gone. (UNI)