Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday presented the final budget of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly for the year 2022-23 and stated that early resolution of the Indo-Naga political issue would be the government’s top priority.
The August House has passed a number of resolutions over the years and consultative meetings were held with all stakeholders on 15th October 2021 and again on 9th March 2022, the CM said as per a press release of the Department of Information & Public Relations, Nagaland. On 18th September 2021, all the political parties represented in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly came together to form the UDA and all the 60 Members of the August House are united with the single objective of working for a solution to the Naga issue, the CM said.
While appreciating the constant contributions of the mass based Civil Societies, Tribal Hohos, Church organisations and NGOs in the search for peace, Rio appealed to all sections to rededicate to the cause of unity, oneness, understanding and true peace.
Rio said that the State Government has recently created the new districts of Chumoukedima, Niuland, Tseminyu and Shamator. Earlier Noklak was also created, he said and hoped this will go a long way in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people from these areas, and bring the functioning and activities of the Government closer to their doorsteps for better delivery of services.
The chief minister said his government is also actively pursuing for setting up a separate High Court for the State at the earliest. The Parliament is expected to enact the Act to set up a separate High Court for the State this year, the CM said.
On March 26, 2022, Nagaland will be hosting its biggest ever sporting event in the form of the South Asian Cross-Country Championships, hosted by India with Kohima as the Host City. Athletes and officials from all over South Asia and every State and Union Territory of the Indian Union will be participating. This will be a landmark event for our State, the CM stated adding that in April 2022, the next edition of the Nagaland Olympics will also be conducted where sportspersons and youth from every corner of Nagaland will exhibit their talents and strive towards reaching the highest standards. Dr. T. Ao Tournament at Mokokchung will also be organised during April 2022.
CM Rio presented the Budget estimating the gross receipts at Rs 24,389.80 crore and gross expenditure at Rs. 24,239.50 crore for the financial year 2022-23. He added that the current year’s transaction for the year 2022-23 are estimated to result in a positive balance of Rs. 150.30 crore. However, because of the negative opening balance of Rs. 2363.04 crore, the year 2022-23 is estimated to close with a negative balance of Rs. 2212.74 crore.
