In a press release, the Chief Minister’s office informed that the Prime minister was appealed for the provision of a ‘one time grant’ of Rs. 1234 crores to the State. The CM also requested the PM for enhancement of ‘Central Plan Assistance’ during 2014-15 and for restoration of ‘Special Plan Assistance’ of Rs. 300 crores for Eastern Nagaland, originally included in the Annual Plan for 2012-13.
The PM was also urged to declare the construction of Foot Hills Road and the new airport at Razüpheme as National Projects. While the PM is stated to have taken note of the issues, he also gave Zeliang some “free lessons in Pranayama (breathing yoga)” to clear the latter’s throat problems!
The CM and HM also met Union Petroleum Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, for a discussion on the hurdles over the State Legal Framework on Petroleum and Natural Gas. The Chief Minister reportedly informed Pradhan that the State is on the “correct Constitutional track and the Centre alone needs to relent.” The Union Minister and the Union P&NG officials reportedly asked for “official level talks first” to resolve the issue. To this, Zeliang responded that the Union Government needed to “show political will” to accommodate the State Legal Framework. The discussions reportedly adjourned with both parties agreeing to resume talks at a later date.
The CM and HM of Nagaland also visited Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was briefed on the steps taken by the Government of Nagaland in ensuring peace on the Nagaland side of the Assam-Nagaland border. The Union Minister, it was informed, expressed his deep appreciation for this.
On the issue of Naga agitation in Manipur, Rajnath Singh took note that “there was no economic blockade in Nagaland and Nagaland is absolutely peaceful over the issue due to the timely steps of the State Government.”
Moreover, the CM apprised the Union Home Minister that the State is “willing to spare two IR Battalions for being posted in other States like Gujarat etc., except Chhattisgarh.” Zeliang also reminded Singh of the “long pending reimbursement claims” of security-related expenditure and payment of helicopter service expenditure used for public transport. The Union Home Minister reportedly promised to look into the objections made by the Union Home Ministry to the autonomy of the State in regard to P&NG operations.
The Union Home Minister has asked for the “support” of the CM of Nagaland to the “success of the settlement of the long pending political issue,” to which the latter said he is “always ready to offer all assistance for meaningful facilitation of the talks so that an honourable and acceptable settlement becomes possible at the earliest.”
Source: Morung Express
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