Governor asks Nagaland government to set up Lokayukta

KOHIMA: Nagaland Governor P B Acharya today asked the state government to set up Lokayukta and also to pass the Women Reservation Bill to bring about a vibrant and strong democracy.

Interacting with mediapersons at Raj Bhavan here, Acharya asked the government to set up Lokayukta as it can bring about a counter-check.

He also appealed to the state government to grant 33 per cent women reservation so that they get their right to be elected members of the civic bodies in the state.

On Naga political issue, Acharya said there is a genuine feeling among Naga people for the state to come out of the agony of prolonged process for peace, which has been going on for 17 years. Naga people are hoping that the political issue will be settled so that they can move forward with the progress, he said.

Maintaining that the Central government is strong and it has the will and guts to solve the Naga problem, he appealed to all the political groups, intellectuals, NGOs and people to come together and voice their expectations on the issue.

The Governor said the 60 members of the state Assembly and the two Members of Parliament should come above party line in expressing the solution they want, within the Constitution.

Speaking about the present financial crisis of the state, he expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would give a major package to the state during his visit to the Hornbill Festival.

He also said Lok Sabha Speaker Sunita Mahajan's visit on November 29 as the Chief Guest for the 50 years anniversary celebration of state Assembly would be a boon for the state.

Nagaland is presently reeling under financial crisis with over Rs 1500 crore deficit.