Govt will go all out to facilitate solution: Rio

Correspondent Kohima, NOV 24 (NPN) : State chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday affirmed that his government was ready to go all out to facilitate a solution to the vexed Naga political issue.

Addressing the 4th general convention of Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) at its newly constructed office building here, the chief minister also informed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had recently asked him to go to Delhi, soon after conclusion of the ensuing Assembly session, to discuss some issues with regard to the Naga political issue.

Rio said he had been told to go to Delhi with Assam chief minister and North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) chairman Himanta Biswa Sarma, as the latter has been involved in the Naga issue. Rio said he was hopeful that some honourable solution would take place soon. On the issue of nominations to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Rio said the cabinet met with ENPO, CNTC and TPO during which the tribal bodies were told that the state cannot get grants for municipal and town councils if ULB elections were held without women reservation and taxation.

He said while the rest of the country followed the Panchayati Raj system, Nagaland has its own rural local bodies in the form of village councils, village development board (VDB). He said Nagaland was exempted from Panchayati Raj through the 73rd Amendment of the Parliament Act for Rural Administration.

However, he said the 74th Amendment, for urban local bodies, was mandatory for the whole country.

Rio said Nagas wanted to apply rural administration over urban areas because of lack of understanding about the two amendments.

He said that since urban areas were cosmopolitan in nature and inhabited by people from all parts of the country, the urban areas in Nagaland would also have to follow the Act of Parliament which has been applied all over the country.

Rio said women reservation would also have to be included in ULB polls until the State makes some arrangements of its own or get some concessions from the ministry. Rio however, said until such time, Nagaland will have to abide by the regulations passed by the amended Act.

Further, he said that since there was an elected government in place, it has the authority to nominate people to run the ULBs.

Citing Dimapur as an example, Rio said there are 23 wards presently without the elected councillors. He said the entire wards were administered by one administrator and with people voiceless like a situation under president’s rule.

He said the decision for nomination was taken in the presence of the civil society organizations in view of an opposition-less government.

The chief minister, therefore, said that until an election was held, the government decided to formulate a plan to nominate councillors to head the ULBs.

He said that out of 23 wards in Dimapur, 10 councillors would be nominated that included, one male and one female each from BJP, NPF and NDPP. He said all three female candidates will make up the 33% reservation. Rio further said one each will be nominated by ENPO, CNTC and TPO while the tenth will be nominated by the government.

He said the same formula would be applied in all the districts with the concerned apex body making the nominations.

He said willing candidates can take up the nomination process while those not willing can stay away from the process.

On the issue of SARFAESI Act, Rio said the state government was planning to make some amendments in the Act, which would enable the indigenous Nagas to avail bank loans after mortgaging their land or property.

He said the mortgaged land or properties will not be sold / auctioned off by banks to non-Nagas even if the borrower defaulted in repaying loan.

He said the clause would enable Nagas to get loans at minimal interest and avoid going to private money lenders and loan sharks.

On the issue of Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), Rio said this was a necessity since there were many false certificates possessed by non-Nagas who use them to compete with indigenous Nagas for competitive examinations or employment opportunities.

He said RIIN was not to chase out the non-Nagas but to safeguard the indigenous people from being deprived of reservations meant for the indigenous people.

On the occasion, Rio also exhorted NDPP members to keep the commitment made by the party and also live up to the trust shown by the people.

Rio said the party had suffered a huge loss over the demise of Imtikumzuk Longkumer, Vikho-o Yhoshü, CM Chang and Toshi Wungtung. He said the past leaders had contributed much to the party as legislators and party workers.

Urging party workers to take responsibility, Rio said it was not only the party leaders but every member was equally responsible to help the party grow.

Rio earlier inaugurated the newly constructed NDPP office building.

The programme was chaired NDPP working president and organising committee convenor Alemtemshi Jamir.

Short speeches were also delivered by minister for agriculture G Kaito Aye, NLA speaker Sharingain Longkumer, advisor horticulture and border affairs Mhathung Yanthan and Lok Sabha MP Tokheho Yepthomi.

Secretarial report was given by NDPP secretary general Abu Metha while other reports were presented by NDPP women organization president Vikali A Zhimomi and youth organization president Kelhouneizo Yhome.

Adoption of resolution was carried out by working president and resolution committee convenor Nuzota Swuro. Senior vice president and reception committee convenor Charlie Sekhose proposed vote of thanks.

Earlier, welcome address was delivered by working president A Nyamnyei Konyak while president Chingwang Konyak delivered the presidential address.

Chingwang Konyak re-elected as president
Ruling NDPP on Tuesday re-elected Chingwang Konyak as president of the party for a second term (2021-2024).
This was announced by NDPP legislator and senior vice president, H Chuba Chang. The party also announced re-election of Abu Metha as secretary general and John Murry as treasurer. The party said that the declaration of other office bearers would be made known later.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/govt-will-go-all-out-to-facilitate-solution-rio/245207.html