No need for a Congress MP to back demand for 'Chiethu airport' : Therie

Nirendra Dev *

Congress MP S Supongmeren Jamir's statement in Lok Sabha demanding central intervention for a proposed new airport at Kohima has evoked mild reactions with his senior party colleague stating that there was "no need" to make such a demand and dilute the importance of implementation of negotiated agreements.

"I did not listen to Supong's maiden speech in Lok Sabha on July 30. I saw some comments in the papers. There is no proposal for Kohima Airport.

The proposed Chiethu-Airport is CM’s pet project in his Constituency. He has been running for 21 years in his capacity as CM. If the project is beneficial to the public and viable, the Govt of India would have implemented it," Therie told 'Nagaland Page' when asked to comment on the issue.

"There is no need for any Congressman to make such a demand," he remarked.

He said Supong's maiden speech reflects not only him, it reflects "the Nagaland people and the Northeast and especially Congress".

"Highlighting the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position is not enough," he said adding the Congress leaders should understand and explain to Parliament that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio's government is "against the implementation of negotiated agreements".

"Evidence, when he saw that Shri R N Ravi the then Governor of Nagaland and Interlocutor was making all efforts for a final settlement, .... under pressure from Rio; Ravi was removed as the Governor and Interlocutor".

The former Nagaland Congress president maintained: "Thereafter the Govt of India did not even appoint an interlocutor. The Govt of India is aware that BJP and the Alliance Govt are hand-in-glove with the 'Naga National Workers'. They are running the state Govt to run an Independent self-style Govt."

Therie also said if the central government is willing to implement and enforce the law of the land, they can implement the negotiated agreements under the Governor's Rule.

Answering a question, Therie flayed the Modi government and lamented that a "completely skewed budget" had been delivered in Parliament.

"Justice and equality have been shot dead. Ransom promised to Bihar and Andhra Pradesh looks like a paper tiger. A promise of the National Highway Roads and the loan from multinational Banks may or may not see the light of the day. The CSS will be implemented at the pleasure of Central Govt," he stated.

To another question, he said, "The Budget lacks vision and commitment even for states such as Bihar. Even if loans are secured it will add to the burden for the state for repayments in times to come".

"Tax, cess, and surge charges are all paid by the public for the welfare of the people. These funds belong to the people. People have authorized the Parliament to use the funds judiciously, and proportionately for the welfare of people and growth," he said.

Therie, who served as Finance Minister for a brief spell, said, "The GST Compensation Cess, National Calamity Contingent Duty on Tobacco and Tobacco Products, Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Cess, Road and Infrastructure Cess, Health and Education Cess, Cess on Crude Oil, and Cess on Exports are the different types of cesses in India. I doubt if they are used judiciously and proportionately".

He also said the first budget of the Modi 3.0 regime has essentially violated the "spirit of the Constitution".