Nagaland supports abolition of DoNER

Kohima, Mar 24 (UNI) Nagaland Chief Miniser Neiphiu Rio today encouraged the abolition of the Minisitry of Development of North Eastern Region(DoNER) and the North Eastern Council(NEC), stating that their schemes have "not reached any of the Northeastern states, other than Assam".

Addressing a press conference here, after presenting the Budget for the year 2008-2009, Mr Rio said that the recommendation of the Second Administrative Reform Commission was right and both the DoNER and the NEC should be abolished, as both the departments were funneling at least 85 per cent of its funds to Assam. He also said the fund allocation to the departments was insufficient and unequal.

Nagaland Planning Minister T R Zeliang, who resigned from Rajya Sabha today and was present at the press conference, said that the Union Government has directed all Central Departments to pay 30 per cent of their budget allocation to the DoNER, but only a few departments have paid so far. Moreover, the other departments were giving no heed to the Centre's order and the Centre has also not taken any action, despite reminders by the North East MP's forum.

UNI AS LL KLC1539