NEW DELHI, May 26 – The controversy over the demand for greater Nagaland is sought to be settled with the United Progressive Alliance likely to endorse a demand for maintaining territorial integrity of the north eastern states, even as the NDA Government’s much-touted River Inter-linking Project faces an uncertain future. The UPA Government is all set to examine the techno-economic feasibility the project. But good news is in store for the north eastern states particularly the oil producing Assam, as due to pressure from the Left allies, a clause to review the crude royalty is under consideration of the UPA. The proposal was pushed forward by the CPI in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP).
In the original draft CMP, the UPA proposed to pay special attention to bringing peace and accelerating development in the north eastern states and stern steps will be taken to curb militancy. An amendment put forward by the Left party, which is likely to be endorsed by the UPA proposes to put an end to the controversy over unification of the Naga dominated areas. The CPI has proposed addition of a clause promising territorial integrity of north eastern states. “Territorial integrity of NES shall be maintained,” the clause read. The issue has been the bone of contention between the three states of Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh on one side and NSCN (I-M) on the other. The refusal of Government of India to redraw the boundary of the three states had almost led to breakdown of the Naga peace talks. The Naga outfit is still insisting on unification of the Naga dominated areas, even as stiff opposition to the demand continued in the three states.
For the North-east the additions sought to be made included proposal for grant of package for the north eastern states as promised by several governments in the past. The Common Minimum Programme (CMP) that was finalised by the alliance partners here this evening is being released here tomorrow. The Left parties had earlier this morning finalised their suggestions on the CMP, which was later submitted to the UPA at its meeting this evening.
In keeping with this mandate, the Congress, its pre-poll allies that include the RJD, DMK, NC, PMK, TRS, JMM, LJP, MDMK, AIMIM, PDP, IUML, RPI (A) and KC (J) and the Left parties have come together to form a United Progressive Alliance that will run the Central Government for the next five years. The UPA Government will have six basic principles for governance, it has proposed. The CPI has moved another significant amendment in the draft CMP, which said that NPA would review and revise upward the payment of royalties to the State Governments. The suggestion if endorsed would be like dream come true to oil producing States, which has been fighting for hike in crude royalty.
Meanwhile, the River linking Project hangs in balance, with the Left Parties insisting on the UPA Government that it should review the entire ambitious Project. “The UPA Government is averse to the idea of linking the rivers of the country as this has several implications. It will examine the whole concept and scheme as pushed forward by previous Government,” the suggestion forwarded by CPI said. The draft CMP circulated by the UPA Government proposed to examine the techno-economic feasibility of linking the rivers of the country starting with the south bound rivers that protects the interests of all states. “The UPA will take all steps to ensure that long-pending inter-state disputes on rivers and water-sharing like the Cauvery Waters dispute are settled amicably at the earliest keeping in mind the interests of all parties to the dispute,” it said.
The CMP also promises to look into the fiscal problems of the States. The UPA government is committed to redressing growing regional imbalances both among States as well as within states through fiscal and other means. A structured and transparent approach to alleviate the burden of debt on States will be adopted so as to enable them to increase social sector investments, the draft said.
That apart the CMP has proposed to further strengthen the National Development Council. The UPA Government will make the NDC a more effective instrument of co-operative federalism. The NDC will meet at least three times a year and in different states. The Inter-State Council will also be activated. However, what could be politically sensitive issue was the assurance in the draft to establish a Second States Reorganisation Commission to consider all demands for new States in a systematic manner.