Headlines       Vol. 2 Issue 3-4

May 22-June 6 , 1999

Nagaland wants to increase MP, MLA seats Nagaland Parliamentary Affairs Minister Nilo Rengma has said that the State Government has apprised the Union Home Ministry of the need to increase the State's representation in Parliament as well as the number of seats in the Assembly. He said the State Assembly had passed a resolution in March to increase the number of seats in the house from 60 to 80, its representation in the Lok Sabha from one to three and in the Rajya Sabha from one to two. He told newsmen that according to the Constitution, an MLA normally represents one lakh people, while an MP represents ten lakh people. But the increase was necessary in view of the State's tribal nature and not the population. Moreover, Nagaland became the 16th State of the Indian Union in December 1963 through a political dispersion, the 16-point agreement in 1960 keeping in mind the nature of its society. Then the State's population was about three lakhs and the Assembly's strength was about 60. But the population rising to over 16 lakhs, adequate representation of legislators was required, he added. Regarding the Assembly resolution for invoking relevant clauses of the 16-point agreement for financial assistance to wipe out Nagaland's huge liabilities, the Minister said the Assembly decision had already been conveyed to the Centre. However, since an amendment Bill in this regard had to be introduced in Parliament, it might take time, he observed.

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