Chief Minister and Minister-in-Charge, Finance, Neiphiu Rio termed the 2023-24 budget a balanced budget adding that it gives huge emphasis on agri and allied sector, micro farmers and entrepreneurs.
Rio stated this while briefing media persons after presenting the state budget on the floor of the house for the financial year 2023-24.
He asserted that the government is trying to be positive while envisioning all round development of the state however, he said while envisioning, the state also must see the financial management otherwise the state will fall into “trap”.
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On the matter of forming an opposition-less government, the Chief Minister said, discussions are still ongoing and very soon he will discuss with BJP high command.
On the pressing issue of conducting elections to the Urban Local Bodies (ULB), Rio maintained that Nagaland is not exempted from the 74th amendment of the Constitution of India, adding that the State is obliged to fulfil the directions of the Supreme Court.
He also reminded that a consultative meeting with all the tribal bodies, political parties and non-governmental organisations was held on 9 March at the CM official residence where, all had given the green signal to conduct the polls however, after returning to their respective places they adopted their own resolution he said, and questioned “how can the state function like this?”
Rio also added that the State government is not prepared to fight physically with them like the 2017 ULB fiasco.
Read more: Nagaland ULB Election: NTC appeals government to relook into ‘issues’
Nagaland ULB Election: Tribal Hohos seek guarantee from government, adopts several resolutions
On query of NSCN-IM objection to conduct the polls on the proposed date as it coincides with Naga Plebiscite day, Chief Minister Rio said, “their issues are different, state business is different. I have no further comment. We are only following the Supreme Court order.”
When asked, whether the state is contemplating to relax or lift the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989 as he had proposed in today’s budget to serve liquors to foreign delegates during the G20 meet, the Chief Minister maintained that the State is not relaxing nor lifting the Act and the State is exercising only what is allowed in the NLTP Act provision. He hoped that the general public will not take it otherwise.
Read more: CM Rio proposes selling of liquor to foreign visitors to boost tourism in Nagaland
