Kohima:

Today’s a big day in Nagaland’s political history. The first-ever urban local body elections with 33 per cent reservation for women will be held today. There is however no election in eastern Nagaland region due to a poll boycott called by the ENPO.

Urban local body elections with women’s reservation had been a thorny issue in Nagaland. In 2017, an attempt to hold elections with 33 per cent women’s reservation had sparked violence.

The Chief Minister then had to resign and the state government had to roll back its poll plans.

Women groups had approached the Supreme Court, which ordered to hold the local body polls with 33 per cent reservation for women.

A total of 523 candidates are in the fray across 25 urban local bodies, including three municipal and 21 town councils. There are a total of 198 women candidates. Initially, 238 women had filed nominations but 23 of them from the eastern region withdrew in view of the poll boycott call by the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) over the pending creation of autonomous Frontier Nagaland Territory.

Six districts under ENPO with a total of 14 town councils will not participate in the local polls.

A total of 17 women and 47 men were declared elected unopposed by the State Election Commission (SEC) last week. The commission on Tuesday said voting would take place in 420 polling stations under 214 wards with 223,636 voters.

Nagaland enacted its Municipal Act in 2001, and the first urban local body elections were held in 2004 without reservation for women.

The government issued a notification for the next urban local body polls in 2012, but they could not be held following objections from tribal bodies, which opposed the quota and certain clauses in the Municipal Act.

In September the same year, the assembly passed a resolution to exempt the state from the Constitution’s Article 243T, which deals with the quota for women, but revoked it in 2016.

In 2017, the state government attempted to hold polls with 33 per cent reservation for women, but it backfired. Protesters attacked and set ablaze government buildings in parts of the state. Powerful tribal organisations contended that reservation for women was an infringement on Naga customary laws, as enshrined in Article 371(A) of the Constitution, which protects the state’s traditional way of life.

In the wake of the violence, the then Chief Minister TR Zeliang had to resign, and the state government declared the poll process null and void. Later, a few women’s organisations moved the high court and then the Supreme Court.

Following this, the Supreme Court directed the Nagaland State Election Commission to notify the polls and hold them with a 33 per cent quota for women.

Assam Rifles on Monday recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition close to the Indo-Myanmar border in Mon district of Nagaland.  

Following inputs regarding the weapons near border area, the Assam Rifles troops launched the search operation and recovered a huge quantity of arms and ammunition comprising 11 Mortar tubes ((82 mm), 04 tubes (106 mm), 10 Pistols, 198 Hand Held Radio Sets and one Satellite Phone.

During the search operation the Assam Rifles also seized one Kenbo bike, one Bolero vehicle and other war like stores.

The troops also arrested one individual during the raid.

The recovered items and arrested individual have been handed over to the Nagaland Police.

“Successful operation by Assam Rifles as part of Border Sealing have dealt a big blow to nefarious designs of inimical elements to undertake subversive activities in the the region,” the Spear Corps said on X.
 

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, #AssamRifles troops recovered huge quantity of heavy calibre military grade weapons, equipment and war like stores close to Indo Myanmar Border in Mon District of #Nagaland. Recoveries include 11 x 82 mm Mortar tubes, 04 x 106 mm tubes, 10… pic.twitter.com/seiRAsTfus

— SpearCorps.IndianArmy (@Spearcorps) April 29, 2024

The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), demanding a separate administration or state comprising six districts of Nagaland, remained adamant to its decision not to take part in the elections to the lone Lok Sabha seat in Nagaland until its demand is fulfilled by the Centre.

After holding a marathon close door coordination meeting with 20 MLAs and various other organisations in Tuensang on Thursday, the ENPO leaders once again on Friday announced to boycott the April 19 parliamentary elections in the state.

The Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union comprising 20 MLAs earlier requested the ENPO to reconsider its decision.

The ‘public emergency’, which began on March 8 in the eastern part of Nagaland, would continue.

During the “public emergency”, the ENPO, the apex body of seven Naga tribes of the region, and its frontal organisations are not allowing any election campaign.

The ENPO, the top Naga body in the six districts, and its associated organisations, in support of its separate state demand, gave a call to boycott last year’s Assembly polls (February 27) but later withdrew it following an assurance from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Union Home Ministry, responding to the ENPO’s demand, last year formed a three-member committee, headed by Adviser, Northeast, A.K. Mishra to study their demand, and the panel visited Nagaland several times and talked with all sides.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio recently said that the state government has already recommended, to the Centre, that an autonomous region be set up for the people belonging to the eastern region.

Guwahati:

The National People’s Party, led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, has announced that it would support the Lok Sabha candidate of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) in Nagaland and the Naga People’s Front (NPF) nominee in Manipur.

NPP national chief Sangma, after meeting Nagaland Chief Minister and senior NDPP leader Neiphiu Rio, said his party would support NDPP candidate Chumben Murry for the lone Nagaland seat.

Mr Murry is the consensus candidate of the ruling People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA), which leads Nagaland’s multi-party coalition government.

The NPP would also support NPF candidate Kachui Timothy Zimik in the Outer Manipur seat, Mr Sangma told the media. His party, he added, would support BJP nominees in two Lok Sabha seats in Arunachal Pradesh — Union Minister Kiren Rijiju (Arunachal West) and Tapir Gao (Arunachal East).

The NPF fielded Mr Zimik, replacing its sitting MP Lorho S. Pfoze.

The NPP, NPF, and NDPP are the allies of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Mr Sangma said the NDA partners are supporting each other’s candidates in different northeastern states.

The BJP had earlier announced support to the candidates of the NPP in the two parliamentary seats in Meghalaya, the NPF nominee in the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat, and the NDPP contender in Nagaland’s lone Lok Sabha seat.

It is however yet to declare its candidate for the Inner Manipur seat.

The NPP, which dominates the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government led by Mr Sangma, has fielded state minister Ampareen Lyngdoh from the Shillong Lok Sabha constituency, and renominated Agatha K. Sangma from Tura.

Agatha K. Sangma, the sister of Conrad Sangma, was the youngest Union Minister during the second UPA government.  

New Delhi:

In a span of just nine years, the number of MBBS seats in Nagaland has increased from 64,000 to 1.6 lakh while that of the post-graduation seats has doubled, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Saturday as he inaugurated the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR) in Kohima, the first medical college in the northeastern state.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said it was a historic day for the people of Nagaland as a long-cherished dream of theirs was fulfilled.

Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted that the NIMSR is not just a medical college, but also a research institute.

“It will not only fulfil the purpose of imparting medical education, but will also address the health issues of the Naga people,” he said.

Highlighting the Centre’s commitment towards improving medical education in the northeastern state, Mandaviya said, “In a span of just nine years, the (number of) MBBS seats in Nagaland has increased from 64,000 to 1.6 lakh. Similarly, PG seats have also doubled in the last nine years.” In a word of encouragement for the students and other stakeholders, the Union health minister said they should not limit their scope of research within the national borders. “We must encash on opportunities abroad as well,” he said.

Mr Mandaviya informed that the Centre has started foreign language courses in many medical education institutes, so that students can have an edge in getting jobs abroad.

He said strengthening medical, nursing and pharmacy education in the country is an endeavour of the BJP-led Centre for the holistic development and expansion of the country’s health sector.

“The aim is to ensure that each citizen of India is able to get access to affordable and accessible healthcare across the country,” the minister said. He also highlighted the expansion of the “jan aushadhi kendras” all over the country to improve access to quality and affordable medicines for all.

NIMSR, Kohima is affiliated to the Nagaland University. It received the letter of permission for the admission of 100 MBBS students from academic year 2023-2024 from the National Medical Commission (NMC) in April, paving the way to start the first medical college in Nagaland after 60 years of statehood, realising the long-cherished dream of the people of the northeastern state, the health ministry said in a statement.

It said 85 MBBS students from Nagaland and six from the all-India seats got admitted to the NIMSR and have joined the MBBS classes after their induction programme on September 1.

“This is a historic day for the people of Nagaland as we inaugurated the first medical college in the state,” Neiphiu Rio said. Highlighting that it was a long-cherished dream of the people of Nagaland to have a medical college in their state, the chief minister thanked the Union government for steadfastly taking up the project.

Chief Minister Rio also said the NIMSR would help the state strengthen its secondary and tertiary healthcare and hoped that it would become a centre of excellence in the future.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kohima:

The Nagaland Assembly on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution strongly urging that the state be completely exempted from the purview of the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

The 14th house of Nagaland legislative Assembly unanimously resolves for exemption from the proposed enactment of UCC in its application to the State of Nagaland, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said moving the government resolution on the second day of the monsoon session of the House.

“The Nagaland government and Naga people are of the view that the UCC will pose a threat to customary laws, social practices and the religious practices of the Naga people, which will be in danger of encroachment in the event of imposition of UCC,” he said.

The apparent objective of the UCC is to have a single law on personal matters like marriage and divorce, custody and guardianship, adoption and maintenance, succession and inheritance, he said.

The Nagaland government through a cabinet decision submitted its views on the subject to the Commission on July 4 conveying its opposition on the grounds of the “unique history” of Nagaland since the pre-Independent British era, the assurance of non-interference policy starting since pre-Independence times and continued by the Centre in the social and religious practices and customary laws of the people of and the constitutional guarantees given under Article 371A, Rio said.

He also recalled that in the consultative meeting with various stakeholders on the subject of UCC organised by the state government on September 1, the representatives of the various Tribal Organizations and civil societies have expressed their strong resentment and objection to the idea of having UCC.

The Government of India (GoI) appointed the 22nd Law Commission of India on February 21, 2020 and extended its term up to August 31, 2024. It issued a public notice on June 14, 2023 inviting views and ideas from all stakeholders on the subject matter of having a UCC throughout India, he said.

Article 371A of the Constitution mainly states that no act of Parliament will apply to the state of Nagaland in a matter relating to religious or social practices of Nagas, Naga customary law and procedure administration of civil or criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law and ownership and transfer of land and its resources will apply to the state unless its Assembly decides so by a resolution, he said.

The legislators on Monday deliberated on the consequences of implementing UCC in the state and the Nagaland Speaker Sharingain Longkumer had granted leave to the government to bring a resolution on Tuesday.

Longkumer put the resolution to vote and it was adopted unanimously by voice vote without any amendment.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kohima:

The Nagaland assembly on Monday opposed the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and implementation of the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act and sought protection under the 16-Point Agreement and Article 371A.

All parties including the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), BJP, NCP, NPP, LJP (Ram Vilas), Naga People’s Front (NPF), RPI (Athawale), JD(U) and Independents discussed the issues on the first day of the monsoon session.

NPF MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu said Nagas have special protection under Article 371A and therefore there was a need to discuss the UCC and Forest Conservation Amendment Act.

“Article 371A clearly states that no act of Parliament shall apply to the State of Nagaland in respect of the religious or social practices of the Nagas, its customary laws and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary laws and ownership and transfer of land and its resources unless the state assembly so decides,” he said and proposed that the House pass a resolution rejecting the UCC and the forest Act.

Nagaland BJP president and cabinet minister Temjen Imna Along assured they would stand together with the resolution adopted by the assembly on both the issues.

Deputy leader of NCP legislature party P Longon and NPP legislature party leader Nuklutoshi Longkumer also said the two laws cannot be applicable in Nagaland.

Making the concluding remarks on both the discussions, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said Nagaland is the only state to have joined the Indian Union with the signing of a political agreement – 16 Point Agreement and also insertion of Article 371A in the Constitution of India.

He expressed optimism that the Centre will not dishonor its own agreement nor would it overlook the Constitutional provisions given to the Nagas.

Mr Rio informed the House the state cabinet has already submitted a representation to the 22nd Law Commission to exempt the state from UCC.

The CM said the cabinet held meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and he assured to look into it.

Mr Rio, however, said with the state government being an ally of ruling NDA at the Centre, it cannot go against the policies and decisions implemented by the central government.

The CM suggested that the House can pass a resolution appealing to the Centre to ‘totally exempt’ Nagaland from the purview of UCC and Forest Conservation Amendment Act.

Subsequently, Speaker Sharingain Longkumer informed that separate resolutions on both the issues will be brought for consideration on Tuesday.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Small States must prioritise raising their own revenue to reduce their dependency on the Union government

The fiscal situation of India’s States has garnered significant attention in recent times. Despite ample data on State finances, most of the analysis is centred around larger States. There needs to be more discussion on the fiscal position of small States (i.e. States with a population of less than 1 crore). Most of these small States have distinctive characteristics that limit revenue mobilisation. Recognising these disabilities, the Constitution has provided mechanisms to address them. But these States continue to rely heavily on the Union government for revenue. This dependence creates vulnerabilities for the States as well as the Union.

The total revenue receipts for a State constitute transfers from the Union government such as the State’s share in Union taxes including income tax, corporation tax, and grants, and the State’s own revenues from tax and non-tax sources. The State can raise its own taxes (own tax revenue or OTR) from professions, property, commodities, etc. It can mobilise non-tax revenue (own non-tax revenue or ONTR) from social and economic services, profits, dividends, etc.

The revenue receipts of each of the small States have increased. For six of the nine States, they have grown faster than the gross state domestic product (GSDP). But these increases are primarily due to Union transfers rather than States’ own revenues. In other words, dependence on the Union has not decreased. For three States — Mizoram, Sikkim and Tripura — the revenue receipts have grown slower than the State GSDP implying limited fiscal space to operate.

While the share of Union transfers in the revenue receipts of all States combined hovers between 40% and 50%, the ratio is quite large for the small States. Except for Goa, the Union’s share in all the other small States’ revenue receipts is more than 60% (2022-23 Budget Estimates). For five States, the share is around 90% (Chart 1).

Chart 1 | The chart shows the current transfers to the revenue receipts ratio. The figures are in %.

Charts appear incomplete? Click to remove AMP mode

The States’ economies have grown over time, but this has not necessarily translated into higher revenue mobilisation capacities. It is best reflected in the continued dominance (2014-2023) of current transfers in the revenue receipts.

The capacity of small States to raise their own taxes continues to be limited. Eight out of nine States fare worse than the all-State average OTR-GSDP ratio (Chart 2).

Chart 2 | The chart shows the own tax revenue (OTR) to gross state domestic product (GSDP). The figures are in %.

The distinctive characteristics of these States restrict economic activity and consequently make it challenging to generate tax revenue. However, what is particularly concerning is that the States’ ability to mobilise taxes has yet to show significant improvement over time. At best, it has fluctuated, with several States experiencing a peak in their OTR-GSDP ratio around 2017-18. The small States do relatively better in mobilising their ONTR, with six States performing better than the all-State average. However, States such as Manipur, Tripura, and Nagaland have consistently struggled in terms of their ONTR-GSDP ratio, performing poorly in comparison.

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The limited capacity of small States to generate their own revenues results in a heavy dependence on the Union government, exposing the States to various vulnerabilities. First, the States rely on the Union governments’ political goodwill. A sudden decline in Union transfers can adversely affect the States’ expenditures. In the last few years, there have been increasing disagreements concerning resource sharing (for example, GST compensation) between the Union and the States. Second, high dependence on the Union might imply less fiscal freedom for the States. A significant portion of the funds transferred by the Union is tied to specific purposes, limiting the States’ flexibility. In some instances, given their existing revenue situation, the States might be unable to match the transfers. Third, the lack of their own revenues can lead to weakened State capacity, affecting the delivery of social, economic, and general services. This situation becomes even more critical as many small States share international borders. The developmental concerns in these States can have implications for national security.

To mitigate these vulnerabilities, the States must prioritise identifying new sources of tax revenue or explore ways to leverage existing ones more effectively. A study by Manipur University evaluating the State finances of Manipur identified how its liquor prohibition policies have led to substantial revenue losses without significantly reducing the negative consequences of drinking. Another study of Arunachal Pradesh’s finances identified the potential to generate more revenue from transactions on land and sales tax.

Additionally, there is a need to improve the tax administration in the States. Not only will this lead to higher resource mobilisation, but it will also reduce the deviation of actual from budgeted tax revenues. The States can boost their collection of non-tax revenues by revising the existing charges and rates for various services and enhancing administrative revenue collection efficiency. Many state public sector enterprises in these States are not in good shape and do not contribute enough revenue. The States must consider revitalising and corporatising these enterprises to improve their revenue performance. Some States such as Mizoram have closed down loss-making public sector enterprises, recognising that these entities are a liability.

Sarthak Pradhan is an Assistant Professor at the Takshashila Institution. The research for this article was made possible by The International Centre Goa Research Grants. Email ID: sarthak@takshashila.org.in

Source: “State Finances: A Study of Budgets”, Reserve Bank of India

Also read: Data | Friction over revenue sharing formula: Why some States get more money from Centre

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