Kohima, March 27 (IANS) The Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Bill, 2026, introduced in the Nagaland Assembly on March 26 to grant greater economic and constitutional powers to six districts inhabited by seven backward tribes, has been deferred to the next emergent session of the House.
Dimapur: The Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Bill, 2026, introduced in the Nagaland assembly by deputy CM Yanthungo Paton on Thursday, has been deferred and referred back to the state govt for further examination.The Bill had been scheduled for consideration and passage on Friday.Speaking on the concluding day of the eighth session of the 14th Nagaland assembly in Kohima, CM Neiphiu Rio proposed deferring the consideration and passage of the Bill. He recommended that it be referred back to the govt for a more detailed review.Rio said the decision was necessary to ensure that provisions of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) are addressed in a legally sound and constitutionally tenable manner.
He also cited a request from the Centre — one of the signatories to the MoA for the establishment of the FNTA — as well as appeals from the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) and the Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union (ENLU).Following the proposal, speaker Sharingain Longkumer deferred the Bill to the next emergent session. He directed that the Bill be sent back to the govt for necessary examination and revision through the department of parliamentary affairs, noting the historic significance and strong public sentiment attached to the proposed legislation.
Earlier, on Thursday, the ministry of home affairs informed the state govt that the issue of granting legislative powers to the FNTA — previously raised by the state — remains under examination. The ministry also sdaid the opinion of the Solicitor General was being sought.Meanwhile, ENPO submitted an appeal urging that the provisions of the MoA, signed on February 5, 2026, be upheld during the passage of the FNTA Bill.The ENLU also wrote to the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, supporting the ENPO’s appeal and requesting that the Bill’s passage be deferred until all concerns are addressed and clarity on the MoA is achieved.Appraising the House, the CM said that the government has consistently striven to ensure equity and inclusiveness in development across all sections and regions of the state.However, he noted that due to historical and geographical challenges, the districts of eastern Nagaland continue to face significant developmental deficits. Despite ongoing government initiatives and limited resources, these regions have not achieved the same level of progress as other parts of the state.
