Nagaland seeks special grant from Centre

The Nagaland government has sought a special grant from the Centre to wipe off the huge amount of fiscal deficit to enable the state to move ahead towards development.
The present deficit of the NPF-led DAN government in the state has gone up to Rs 1234 crore and unless the Central government comes to its rescue, it will be difficult for the state to move ahead towards development and progress, Chief Minister T R Zeliang said during a programme here on Saturday.
Zeliang said during his visit to New Delhi earlier this month along with three cabinet ministers, the state government apprised the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister about the financial constraints of the government and the huge fiscal deficit.

He said they informed the PM that the Nagaland government had incurred such a huge deficit because of the adverse recommendation of 13th Finance Commission (FC). He said the PM had understood their problem and assured to look into the matter when the Union Budget is presented.
He also went on to state that the main problem "we are facing is excess appointment of employees in all the government departments."
He recalled that the 13th FC had recommended a limit of 35 per cent expenditure on salaries to government employees out of the total revenue expected, however "our state has gone beyond 62 per cent."

The CM said the state government has also sought the Centre's aid for developmental projects such as medical and veterinary institutions, foothill road constructions and a new airport in Dimapur.
Zeliang expressed the hope that such projects could help change the face of the state.