Northeast Desk, 29th February: The Nagaland Assembly, on Thursday, unanimously passed two bills—one aimed at enhancing the salaries and allowances of legislators, and the other concerning Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Introduced by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, K G Kenye, the Nagaland Salaries, Allowances, and Other Facilities of the Chief Minister, Speaker, Deputy Chief Minister/Ministers, Leader of the Opposition, Deputy Speaker, and Other Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and Pension for Ex-members (Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to revise the salaries as recommended by the House Committee of the NLA.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio introduced the Nagaland Goods and Services Tax (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2023, which aims to make the Nagaland Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, more comprehensive and trade-friendly.
Both bills were tabled in the House on Tuesday and were subsequently put to vote on Thursday after no amendments or clarifications were sought by any of the members.
Kenye, in the statement of object, highlighted that the salaries are revisable as per Section 8 of the bill, with the House Committee recommending their revision in a meeting held on August 17, 2023. The financial implication of the increase in salaries, allowances, and other facilities is estimated to be Rs 1701.51 lakhs per year.
Speaker Sharingain Longkumer announced the unanimous passing of both bills by voice vote, signaling the Assembly’s endorsement of the proposed revisions and amendments.
Read More: Assam Police Arrests Three Student Leaders Ahead of Anti-CAA Agitation