Congress terms Budget as stereotype

Kohima, Mar 25 (UNI) Congress MLA K L Chishi today told the Assembly that the 2008-09 budget presented by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio yesterday was anti-poor, anti-minorities and stereotype.

The formeer chief minister alleged that the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), which ruled the state for last five years, has mis-utilised the government department.

He also alleged that the ruling DAN had paid the Directorate of Information and Public Relation Department only Rs 80 for a four-page booklet on Common Minimum Programme (CMP) and demanded an inquiry into this.

Mr Chishi also informed that the salary paid to 13 Parliamentary Secretaries of state was 'illegal' and 'unconstitutional' and urged the Speaker to immediately stop the payment.

Taking part in the discussion, former minister S I Jamir appealed the government to take steps to check the activities of liquor mafias adding that such gangs earned more than the amount the government would have got from the liquor revenue.

He also claimed that due to prohibition of liquor in the state, several youth became drug addicts and hence the ban should be lifted soon.

Congress MLA Sentichuba also informed the House that there was a spurt in the cases of extortions and accused the DAN government of failing to maintain law and order in the last five years of its tenure.

UNI AS PP KK ND1559