FORMER Nagaland Chief Minister S. C. Jamir took exception to the State Home Minister’s statement on the floor of the House that the government was not aware of any ceasefire agreement, except NSCN (IM). Mr Jamir said there was a ceasefire agreement between the NSCN (K) and the Centre in April 2001 which was not mentioned by the Home Minister, though the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) was also the part of the issue. When the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government had constituted a peace committee and assured the people to facilitate the peace process to hammer out a negotiable settlement, why they have forgotten about the other parties to the Naga issue, Mr Jamir asked. He said the Congress had no quarrel with any underground organisations. The former Chief Minister said on the reconciliation among the Nagas, there should be a single approach through a neutral body comprising the Church leaders and senior media persons. On the allegation of State Finance Minister K Therie of mismanagement by the previous government, Mr Jamir said the minister had failed to point out any mismanagement of his government. He claimed that two terms of the Congress were successful in managing the finances of the government, despite the severe financial crisis faced by the State. On the reported proposal in a section of media that Nagaland would be given the status of Union Territory, the veteran Congress leader said the State already enjoying statehood, if the Centre wanted to give any status, it should be above statehood. Mr. Jamir described the State budget for 2003-04 as “unrealistic and direction less” as there were no mention about the state of the economy and specific measures to spur the economic growth in future. Opening the discussions on the budget which was presented in the House by the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Government, the senior Congress member termed the Finance Minister’s presentation as a mere political statement, and discounted the DAN Government’s observation that it inherited a bankrupt regime after coming to power. Referring to constitutional provision if a State goes bankrupt in financial front, Mr. Jamir asserted that despite severe constraints, Nagaland never landed into bankruptcy as mentioned in the budget statement. Mr. Jamir, who had held finance portfolio during the Congress regime, insisted that both Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as well as the Centre had appreciated the erstwhile Government for the financial management. He also expressed surprised over the projected revenue collection of Rs 148 crore during the current year from last year’s Rs 100 crore with a quantum jump of 40 to 50 per cent even as there was no mention about new taxes which would be brought under the tax net to augment the internal revenue. Mr. Jamir also sought clarification from the Finance Minister as how the deficit at the end of the last financial year shot up to Rs 365 crore when it was projected at Rs 188 crore.

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