Finance Commission team visits Nagaland

Kohima: A two-Member team of the Fifteenth Finance Commission, comprising of Dr. Ashok Lahiri and Ajay Narayan Jha are on a two-day visit to Nagaland today and they were interacted with the Chief Minister, Minister Planning and officials of the State Government led by the Chief Secretary this afternoon.
According to official sources, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio welcomed the two Members and thanked them for visiting the State and said that the State had much expectation from the Commission.
He expressed problems that the State has to face due to its remote location, and the financial handicap following the change in the system of financing after the year 1989 when the funding arrangement put in place under the 16 Point Agreement was discontinued. He also raised some issues of concern to the State such as the need for help in setting up Chiethu airport for which land had already been acquired, the importance of the foothill road for the economic development of the State.
He also briefed the Members of how the manufacturing sector has been heavily affected by the ban imposed by the Supreme Court of India on felling of timber.
The Chief Minister also highlighted problems caused due to non-completion of road projects in the State despite the passage of many years, causing untold problems to the people of the State. The Minister of Planning raised concerns over the slow rate of development and the need for funds for maintenance of assets. He also expressed the problem faced by the State due to discontinuation of SPA funding, resulting in liabilities of more than Rs. 500 crore. (UNI)