FNTA bill introduced in Nagaland assembly, Rs 100 crore earmarked as govt pushes for interim body

Guwahati: The Nagaland assembly on Thursday introduced a bill for the establishment of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).

Chief minister Neiphiu Rio had on February 5 signed a memorandum of agreement for the creation of FNTA with the Centre and the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO).

Deputy chief minister Yanthungo Patton introduced the bill during the ongoing state budget session.


Rio informed that the state government is working to expedite the process for the formation of an interim body of the FNTA.

The state budget for 2026–27 has earmarked Rs 100.57 crore as grants for the FNTA. Speaker Sharingain Longkumer said that further consideration for the passage of the FNTA Bill will be taken up on Friday.

An agreement was signed on February 5 between the central government, the Nagaland government, and representatives of the ENPO — an apex body representing eight recognised Naga tribes from six eastern districts of Nagaland — paving the way for the formation of the FNTA covering these six districts.

The agreement was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Union home minister Amit Shah and Nagaland chief minister Rio.

The agreement provides for a mini-secretariat for the FNTA, to be headed by an additional chief secretary/principal secretary, and includes the sharing of development outlay for the Eastern Nagaland region in proportion to its population and area. However, the agreement does not affect in any manner the provisions of Article 371(A) of the Constitution. Under this arrangement, powers related to 46 subjects will be transferred to the FNTA.

After signing of the agreement, Shah had said, “Today is a very significant day for a dispute-free northeast. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned a northeast that is free from insurgency, violence, disputes, and is developed. Today, we have taken one more step forward in realizing that vision.”

Rio had said the agreement “reflects mutual trust, addresses the aspirations of eastern Nagaland and the state at large, and reaches out to take development to every doorstep”.