A high-level state government meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang, in the Nagaland Civil Secretariat conference hall on Tuesday to discuss the adoption of the National Highways Act, 1956 for the construction and development of National Highways in the state.
The meeting was attended by senior officials including Additional Chief Secretary and Finance Commissioner Sentiyanger, Principal Secretary Law and Justice Kikheto Sema, Commissioner and Secretary Works and Housing Kesonyu Yhome, Commissioner and Secretary Land Revenue Dr. Zase Chusi, Chief Engineer PWD (National Highways), three additional Advocate Generals of Nagaland, district administration representatives and other key officers.
In his opening remark, Dy. CM Zeliang highlighted that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has emphasized that the NH Act 1956 applies uniformly across all National Highways in India including Nagaland. He said the NH Act should be adopted and compensation determined under Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013.
Zeliang expressed that adoption of NH Act will immensely benefit the people as there are many provisions in matters of compensation payment viz. land rates, solatium etc. which are not in the Nagaland Land Requisition and Acquisition Act 1965 which is being used to determine compensation at present. He also cautioned that non-adoption may lead to stalling of critical highway projects, depriving the state of much-needed infrastructure and central funding. While recognizing the immense benefits of adopting the NH Act for accelerated road connectivity and economic growth, the meeting also deliberated on safeguarding Nagaland’s special provisions under Article 371A, which protects land and customary rights.
The Dy. CM also said that should the state continue to stall and delay adoption of NH Act, it would meet a similar fate like that of the women reservation issue, where prolonged
resistance ultimately led to delayed development benefits and the state had no option but
to adopt and implement the Act.
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Following thorough discussion, it was resolved that the Works and Housing department, in
consultation with the Law and Justice, and Land Revenue departments, will prepare a cabinet memo for further deliberation. The matter will be presented before the state cabinet for a final decision, followed by necessary legislative processes in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, if required.
Commissioner and Secretary for Works and Housing Kesonyu Yhome urged upon all
stakeholders to expedite the process to avoid unnecessary delays in infrastructure
projects.
“The Government of Nagaland remains committed to ensuring sustainable development
while protecting the rights and interests of its citizens. The adoption of the NH Act 1956,
if carefully implemented with necessary safeguards, will pave the way for better road
connectivity, economic growth, and improved livelihoods across the state,” stated an official release.
