Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday expressed hope that the 14th Finance Commission (FFC), will give due consideration to the state’s demand for inclusion as Special Category state under Article 371 (A) of the Constitution,
Addressing a press conference at his office chamber this afternoon after a visit of the delegation to the state, Rio called for the state being given special consideration for its all round development.
He said during talks between the visiting delegation members and Nagaland bureaucrats on Saturday morning, Chief Secretary Alemtemshi Jamir made a power-point presentation to the FFC members focused on various developmental activities in the state, despite meagre resources.
Jamir also conveyed to them that the state urgently required adequate infrastructure for all round development. The state has no national institutions and there was no medical and Engineering College even after 50 years of statehood.
Rio said that FFC Chairman Dr Yaga Venugopal Reddy was also told about the 16-point Agreement with the Government of India for giving statehood to Nagaland, which was enjoying statehood since December 1, 1963.
But, the Union Government, on its own, changed the funding pattern from 1989 and brought the state under the Union Home Ministry. Since then Nagaland was facing severe financial crisis.
He informed that many developmental plans had to abandoned and the funds were diverted to pay salaries of the state Government employees.
He also informed that the law and order situation of the state was relatively peaceful.
Referring to the poor state of roads in the state, Mr Rio said due to terrain landscape and poor soil condition of the state, it was not possible to construct roads without adequate protection from landslides, mudslides, erosions and other natural disasters, for which he informed the delegation members that without proper infrastructure, it will not be possible to construct permanent all-season road in the state.
He said the FFC was informed that 26 per cent cut in annual Plan size for Nagaland last year, had become an obstruction for the development in the state.
Rio said it had been conveyed to the Commission that Nagaland wanted to be included among the special category states. “We have dwelt on the 16 point agreement which led to inserting in the provision of Special Category state under Article 371 (A) of the Constitution,” and called for being given special consideration.
Later, the FFC members left for legendary Khonoma village under Kohima district for a first-hand knowledge about the development and the immediate needs of the people of the state. (UNI)