Opposition walkout from Nagaland Assembly

Kohima, Mar 27 (UNI) The opposition Congress members and lone Independent member of Nagaland Legislative Assembly today staged a walkout alleging that they were not given enough time to speak.

Earlier, taking part in the discussion on the budget for 2008-2009, Congress member K V Pusa alleged that 'rampant extortion' was continuing in Nagaland and besides essential commodities, taxis were charged taxes amounting to Rs 1500 and buses Rs 5000 per year.

He also said the prices of essential commodities, were rising day-by-day and appealed the state government to check the menance.

Congress member Kheo, taking part in the budget discussion, said the figure of the estimated deficit amount was much higher than the figure given in the budget speech.

Another Congress member Chingwang Konyak raised the issue of prohibition in the state which incurred a heavy loss in the state revenue, whereas liquor consumption has not decreased.

''Prohibition has become an obstacle in tourism as the foreign tourists were not getting adequate liquor and appealed to the leader of the House to reconsider the prohibition,''he added.

Leader of Opposition I Imkong said, the actual deficit shown in the budget speech was much more than the given due to rampant corruption and failure in fiscal mamagement.

He appealed to the Chief Minister to convene a session of the Assembly after receiving the grant of the Planning Commission.

He also criticised the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government for hurriedly convening the budget session, where the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) could not be submitted.

UNI AS ADG AE RK1900