KOHIMA: Nagaland Chief Minister of Nagaland, T.R. Zeliang, met the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju at North Block, New Delhi on Saturday and apprised him of the financial issues faced by Nagaland.
According to a press release from the Chief Minister’s Office on Sunday, Zeliang and State Home Minister, Y. Patton, conveyed their appreciation to Rijiju for his ‘prompt action’ in releasing pending Security Related Expenditure (SRE) amounting to Rs.40 crores and Rs.21 crores respectively to the State of Nagaland recently.
A discussion on the border issue between Nagaland and Assam was taken-up to ‘settle the matter amicably.’
In the meeting, Zeliang requested Rijiju for early release of long pending outstanding reimbursement bills, particularly, against the redeployment of IR Battalion to West Bengal amounting to Rs.90 crores.
Zeliang stated that since the West Bengal Government has not paid even a single installment for the last more than 4 years, the MHA may direct the West Bengal Government to pay to the State of Nagaland at the earliest, as the deployment were done as per the directions of the MHA.
On the issue of the long pending outstanding bills by the MHA regarding 75 per cent subsidy on Helicopter services was also discussed, Zeliang requested Rijiju to ‘personally intervene’ in the matter for early settlement of pending dues amounting to Rs.34.36 crores.
The pending reimbursement issues relating to the construction of Central Para-Military Force Accommodation (CPMFA) amounting to Rs.31.42 crores was also taken up during the time of discussion.
Rijiju reportedly assured Zeliang that he would see that all the pending SRE to the State Government of Nagaland is released without further delay, ‘provided all the related documents are submitted by the State to the MHA.
He also stated that his priority is to look after the problems and the welfare of the North East Region. Rijiju directed his officials to have further discussions with officials accompanying the Chief Minister of Nagaland. The matter regarding the construction of five Indian Reserve Battalions (IR) headquarters was also discussed.
The CM also requested the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs to expedite granting of onetime special grant for completion of IR Battalion Headquarters, which are under construction. (UNI)