NDPP-BJP ruled Nagaland to cut salary of govt employees to fund infrastructure

The cash strapped Nagaland government is planning to divert a section of a salary given to government employees to develop infrastructure. The proposal is yet to be finalised.

According to a report in The Indian Express, Chief Secretary Temjen Toy said, “One of the reasons why Nagaland is so cash-strapped is because unlike other states, we don’t pay income tax here or even property tax. And yet, we receive all the facilities from the government, like any other citizen. A professional tax is levied here but it is a paltry amount…We had taken up the matter of increasing this professional tax with the Centre several times, but since this is a provision made in the Constitution, it will require an amendment, so it is unlikely to happen.”

“We also understand that it is unfair that if the amendment is brought in, people in other parts of the country who are already paying other taxes will have to pay an increased professional tax,’’ said the Chief Secretary. He also said that there was no reason why “government servants in Nagaland should not contribute to the development of the state’’.

“We have been trying to attract industries and investment in but this has been difficult. With the special provisions (371A) in place and protection for tribal land, land is generally not accepted as collateral … So investors are wary of coming to Nagaland. Our own entrepreneurs face problems because of this. So we have written to the government to bring in provisions by which banks can at least sell defaulters’ land to local Nagas,’’ Indian Express quoted Toy as saying.

Toy said the proposal for diversion of a part of government salaries for development work has already been discussed with the ruling NDPP, a Bharatiya Janata Party ally.

“Political leaders are supportive and have said that even a portion of their salaries should be diverted. We are, however, moving carefully and are in the process of verifying the legality of such a scheme…’’ said Toy.