KOHIMA — The revised Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Bill is set to return to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) when the ninth session of the 14th Assembly begins on September 1, with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expressing hope that the legislation will be passed on September 3.
The legislation had earlier been deferred amid concerns over the proposed conferment of legislative powers on the FNTA.
The revised Bill follows discussions between the state government, ENPO and legislators from Eastern Nagaland to address legal and constitutional concerns surrounding the proposed authority.
The earlier legislation was deferred after the Ministry of Home Affairs sought more time to examine the proposal to confer legislative powers on the FNTA.
The state government subsequently sought legal opinion and worked on a revised arrangement in consultation with the ENPO and Eastern Nagaland legislators.
KOHIMA — The revised Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Bill is set to return to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) when the ninth session of the 14th Assembly begins on September 1, with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expressing hope that the legislation will be passed on September 3.
The two-day session, with September 2 as a recess day, is expected to closely focus on the revised legislation, which seeks to give effect to the agreement between the Centre, state government and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) for the creation of the FNTA.
Rio had said last week that the Bill would be tabled on the first day of the session and expressed hope that it would be passed on September 3. The legislation had earlier been deferred amid concerns over the proposed conferment of legislative powers on the FNTA.
The revised Bill follows discussions between the state government, ENPO and legislators from Eastern Nagaland to address legal and constitutional concerns surrounding the proposed authority.
The earlier legislation was deferred after the Ministry of Home Affairs sought more time to examine the proposal to confer legislative powers on the FNTA. The state government subsequently sought legal opinion and worked on a revised arrangement in consultation with the ENPO and Eastern Nagaland legislators.
Also read: FNTA Bill to be tabled Sept. 1, likely passage on Sept. 3 — Rio
Rio had said the revised proposal was discussed with ENPO representatives, who agreed to the points, following which the matter was communicated to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The passage of the Bill will be closely watched in view of the Memorandum of Agreement signed on February 5, 2026, between the government of India, government of Nagaland and the ENPO for the creation of the FNTA.
Issues relating to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) are also expected to come up during the session.
According to the provisional programme of business issued by the NLA Secretariat, the first day will begin with obituary references, followed by questions, reporting on assent to Bills and introduction of government Bills.
