Kohima, March 28: The Nagaland Assembly has postponed the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Bill, 2026, which was introduced on Thursday. This decision will hold until the next emergency session of the Assembly.
The bill aims to provide greater economic and constitutional powers to six districts inhabited by seven backward tribes.
Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton presented the bill on March 26, with plans for discussion and passage set for March 27.
However, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio informed the Assembly that the bill was postponed in light of requests from the Government of India, which is a signatory to the memorandum of understanding, as well as appeals from the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) and the Eastern Nagaland Legislators Union (ENLU).
Rio emphasized the need to ensure that the provisions of the memorandum are addressed in a legally robust and constitutionally valid manner before proceeding.
On Thursday evening, the Home Ministry (MHA) indicated that it is still considering the issue of legislative powers for the FNTA, which the state government had previously raised. The MHA also mentioned that the opinion of the Solicitor General of India is being sought on this matter.
The Chief Minister stated that the state government has been asked to grant the Home Ministry additional time and to refrain from further action on the FNTA Bill until their thoughts and opinions are received.
He also informed the Assembly that the ENLU submitted a letter to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs on Thursday evening. This letter referenced a previous communication sent by the ENPO on March 26, urging the government to delay the passage of the FNTA Bill until all concerns are addressed and clarity regarding the memorandum is achieved.
An official statement previously indicated that this memorandum would pave the way for the formation of the FNTA for six backward districts: Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak, and Shamator, along with the transfer of powers over 46 subjects to the new authority.
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