Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is holding portfolio of Finance on Friday presented a Vote on Accounts for the first quarter of the year 2014-2015, seeking approval of the House to withdrawal of Rs 3523.58 crores from the Consolidated Fund of Nagaland to defray the expenses of the state Government from April one to July 31.
On the second day of the 4th Session of the 12th Nagaland Assembly Friday, Rio informed the members of the House on the discussion to present a ‘Vote on Account,’ in place of Budget, which consequent upon the decision of the Planning Commission to hold the Annual Plan discussions with the states only after the completion of the forthcoming Parliamentary Elections.
He also reiterated that Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) was the embodiment and expression of people’s collective will and coined it as people’s Government reflecting the aspirations of the Hohos, the Civil Societies and others.
‘DAN is indeed the cooperative and consultative model of inclusive governance, however, within the four walls of the Constitutional framework’, he maintained.
On the Naga Political issue, Rio admitted that the issue continues to elude solution despite best efforts.
However, he mentioned that serious efforts were made to persuade the Union Government for taking concrete steps to solve the Naga Political issue and was hopeful that the issue will gain due priority after the ensuing Parliamentary elections.
Rio also mentioned that the Finance Commission has been apprised of some special requirements and state specific programmes amounting to Rs 1394.97 Crores for implementation through special grants during the award period from 2015-16 to 2019-20.
Commenting on the overwhelming success and popularity of the Hornbill Festival and emergence of Nagaland as Tourism destination, the Chief Minister Rio expressed optimism that the tourism sector would see significant growth in the coming years providing big boost to income generation and employment in the service sector, thus becoming a powerful engine in propelling our economy.
Stating that Nagaland has made tremendous progress in the field of music and art, Rio announced that Nagaland would be participating in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2014 and said the participation would enhance the brand of Nagaland to an enormous international audience, greatly contributing towards tourism potentials. (UNI)
