Nagaland Cabinet Discusses Key Issues Including Frontier Nagaland Authority and Reservation Policy

Nagaland Cabinet Meeting Highlights

Kohima, June 13: In a significant meeting on Thursday, the Nagaland State Cabinet tackled important matters such as the ongoing discussions with the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) regarding the draft proposal for the Frontier Nagaland Territory Authority (FNTA), a review of the state's reservation policy, and updates on infrastructure projects like the Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) pipeline.

During a press conference at Hotel Japfu in Kohima, Nagaland's Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister CL John, along with Tourism and Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along, shared that the Cabinet had carefully considered the feedback from the ENPO.

The Cabinet reiterated that the fundamental principles outlined in the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) must be strictly adhered to in future discussions. Although 12 critical points remain unresolved, the government is optimistic that these can be addressed through ongoing negotiations with stakeholders.

In its discussions, the Cabinet granted 'in principle' approval for the establishment of a Commission to assess the reservation policy in state government jobs. This decision follows a memorandum from five tribal groups expressing concerns about the current reservation system.

The proposed Commission will consist of five members, including two IAS officers and one representative each from the Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC), the Tenyimi People’s Organisation (TPO), and the ENPO.

The Cabinet clarified that the purpose of forming this Commission is not to arbitrarily alter existing reservation quotas but to conduct a thorough and fair examination of the policy within its historical context. The state leadership emphasized that this review is overdue, as the policy has not been revisited for several years.

The Chief Minister has instructed that only individuals of high integrity, including academicians and subject matter experts, should be appointed to ensure a transparent and inclusive process. It was also noted that the Commission must operate impartially, avoiding any perception of bias towards specific communities.

Minister CL John stated that the terms of reference and complete composition of the Commission will be disclosed within a month.

The Cabinet also reviewed a report from the High-Powered Committee regarding the proposed absorption of 147 Assistant Professors in the Higher Education Department. Acknowledging the recommendations, the Cabinet directed the department to reassess the proposal according to administrative procedures and to present the revised proposal for Cabinet review at a later date.

Furthermore, the Cabinet discussed the status of the gas pipeline project being executed by Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL). It was reported that No Objection Certificates (NoCs) have been issued for 107 kilometers of the planned 140-kilometer stretch, with only 33 kilometers remaining.

The Cabinet expressed satisfaction with the progress made but urged the relevant departments to expedite the remaining approvals to ensure the timely completion of the pipeline infrastructure, which is vital for improving energy access in the state.