Rs 3,325 Cr vote-on-account budget for Mizoram
Aizawl: Mizoram government has proposed no new taxes, or any increase in the rate of the existing taxes in the 3,325-crore vote-on-account placed in the Assembly today for the first four months of the next fiscal. In his budget speech, state Finance Minister Lalsawta estimated the deficit in the current fiscal at Rs 340.80 crore, but said that it was expected to come down to Rs 299.63 crore by the end of the next fiscal. Lalsawta delivered the speech in Mizo language, a first by any state finance minister. He emphasised the need for improvement and augmentation of the state’s own tax and non-tax revenues and cutting down on non-plan revenue expenditure whenever possible. “As and when the annual plan for 2014-15 is finalised, I will seek approval of this august House for the regular budget,” the Finance Minister said. (PTI)
LF candidate submits nomination
AGARTALA: Ruling Left Front candidate Shankar Prasad Dutta on Tuesday filed his nomination from West Tripura seat. Before submitting his nomination papers, Datta participated in a big procession by ruling CPI-M which travelled in different parts of the capital town. The 58-year-old leader, who is General Secretary of Tripura unit of CITU, said, “It would be my duty to protect the interest of the state in parliament and help expedite the process of development in Tripura.” “Bringing railway service in broad gauge format up to Sabroom in South Tripura district would be one of the priorities,” he told reporters. (PTI)
Assam Rifles nab NSCN (K) cadre in Nagaland
Kohima: The Assam Rifles has arrested one NSCN (K) cadre in Zunheboto town and seized one pistol and some other documents from his possession. In a release issued by the PRO of the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North) said in yet another significant operation on March 12, fifth Battalion of Assam Rifles apprehended one NSCN (K) cadre from the Project Colony of Zunheboto town. One pistol and extortion notes were found on him. The apprehended cadre was identified as Wilson H Chishi, Regional Secretary of Sumi Region. The apprehended cadre was later handed over to the Police, the release said. (UNI)
Trinamool Cong fields late prez’s son from Assam
Kolkata: All India Trinamool Congress on Tuesday announced its latest list of candidates for Lok Sabha polls, including Dr Parvez Ahmed, the son of late President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, from Barpeta in Assam . AITC’s national general secretary Mukul Roy while releasing the names of party’s poll candidates from states like Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Assam, said besides the son of former president, retired judge Ishrat Hasim Kuddus would contest from Moradabad in UP. Gopichand Sahabadi from Tejpur, Dipak Bora from Naogaon, Wajed Raja Osmani from Silchar, Suleman Ali or Jasmin from Dhubri, and Dipen Pathak from Mongaldhigi are among others in the latest list. Roy said the AITC would play a decisive role in the formation of the government at the Centre. He said there will be no party, be it the BJP or the Congress, will get absolute majority and Trinamool will play a decisive role in formation of the next government at the centre. (UNI)
Nagaland Expenditure Observers arrive in Kohima
KOHIMA:The Expenditure Observers appointed by Election Commission of India for Nagaland Sushil Kumar Singh and K Hauthung have reached the State on Saturday last in connection to the General Election to Lok Sabha 2014, scheduled to be held in Nagaland on April 9. According to official sources today the two Expenditure Observers are to be stationed at Kohima and Mokokchung. Sushil Kumar Singh, Senior Deputy Director, IFA, will stationed at Kohima is assigned Assembly Constituencies of Dimapur, Peren, Kohima, Pughoboto, Phek, Zunheboto and Wokha. While K Hauthung, IRS stationed at Mokokchung is assigned Mokokchung, Mon, Longleng, Tuensang and Kiphire Assembly constituencies. Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Tuensang has informed that any queries or objections with regard to accounts and expenditure in connection with the forthcoming Lok Sabha election may be brought to notice of K Hauthang, Expenditure Observer. (UNI)
AAP fields retd IAS officer for Mizoram LS seat
Aizawl: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced that M Lalmanzuala, a retired IAS officer, would contest the election for the lone Mizoram Lok Sabha seat to be held on April nine. Lalmanzuala said he would file his nomination papers soon. Lalmanzuala had unsuccessfully contested the state assembly polls in 2008 as an Independent from Aizawl North-I seat. (PTI)