The state Cabinet on Thursday held a consultative meeting and discussed various issues including ENPO, reservation policy and Naga political issue.
Briefing media persons at Hotel Japfu, government’s spokeperson and Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, CL John John informed that the Cabinet extensively discussed the comments submitted by the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) on the draft proposals. He clarified that the Cabinet reaffirmed the basic principles of the agreed “highlights of the MoS draft” with the ENPO as agreed earlier, which should be strictly followed. The 12 remaining contentious points where differences still exist can be further negotiated, he added.
Highlighting the Cabinet’s decision to constitute a Commission to look into all aspects of the Reservation Policy in Government employment in the State, CL John stated that the Government would come out with comprehensive terms of reference and composition of the Commission within one months’ time.
He further informed that the Cabinet also discussed the Committee Report for absorption of 147 Assistant Professors under Higher Education Department.
The Cabinet took note of the recommendations of the High Powered Committee and directed the Department to re-examine the proposal as per due process and bring back the post creation proposal to the Cabinet, he informed
Speaking on the laying of gas pipeline in the State by IGGL, he mentioned that the Cabinet was apprised of the progress and noted that NOC has been given for 107 kms out of 140 km length and only 33 km of NOC is yet to be given. The Cabinet also directed to expedite the process, he added.
Minister of Tourism and Higher Education of Nagaland, Temjen Imna Along, who is also Government’s spokesperson disclosed that the Cabinet deliberated extensively on various subjects.
Referring to one of the subjects, in regards to the 5 tribe memorandum to the Government with regards to reservation, he informed that the Cabinet under the leadership of Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio had deliberated on it and understanding the need, the Cabinet had decided to constitute a commission.
Minister Imna Along elaborated that the five-member Commission will include two bureaucrats (including an IAS officer) and representatives from CNTC, the Tenyimi Peoples’ Organization, and ENPO. It will be an independent body tasked to look into the up-gradation of the reservation issue in its present context and submit to the Cabinet.
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Along informed that AK Mishra, Government of India’s Interlocutor, met the Cabinet in the presence of Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio along with Chief Secretary and discussed mainly on the ENPO and Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT) issue.
He maintained that they hoped Chief Minister had briefed AK Mishra and the officials regarding the state Government and Cabinet’s stand and not to divert from the core issues and go ahead with mitigating the ENPO further and to deliberate more.
Along further stated that as the Minister and Spokesperson, KG Kenye has already said and what ENPO has agreed earlier to be strictly followed, the 12 remaining points where differences still exist can be further negotiated and therefore negotiations would go on.
Briefing on Naga political issue, Along reiterated that the Cabinet had discussed about the Naga political issues and is also serous about NNPGs. He said Chief Minister has clearly told AK Mishra and team that the aspiration of the Nagas is to see settlement and solution as soon as possible so that Nagaland can also be a party of the journey of Viksit Bharat 2047, which is envisioned by everybody.
Addressing concerns over misuse of Indigenous Inhabitant Certificates, Minister Along acknowledged that many non-Nagas may have obtained the certificate outside the mandated cutoff period. He said that the Home Commissioner has been tasked with thoroughly investigating the matter and reporting back to the Cabinet.
Regarding the five tribes commissions to submit the report, Imna Along also highlighted that the cabinet has just decided to form a committee. He said that the Chief Minister was very clear that the person nominated to be in the Commission should be in discussions with people group so that no one feels deprived.
“The idea of the Commission is not to take away the reservation or put more reservation. For many years this has not been reviewed in a proper manner and the last reservation which was put under Deputy Chief Minister 2019-20, the Cabinet sub-committee had put up the notion that after the 2021 census only it would be reviewed. As 2021 census has not happened but yet there is a lot of pressure from 5 tribes,” he added.
Furthermore, Minster said that as per their demand to see the discrepancies the cabinet has decided to constitute the commission. Chief Minister was very clear, that people of integrity and who are academicians and qualified people should be put in the committee, he added.
