Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Introduces Revised FNTA Bill Amid Concerns Over Proposed Powers

Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton on Tuesday introduced the revised Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Bill, 2026, in the Assembly after the House withdrew the earlier version amid concerns over its proposed powers and functions. The revised bill was introduced on the first day of the two-day ninth session of the 14th Nagaland Assembly in Kohima. It will be taken up for consideration and passing on September 3. Patton also moved a motion to withdraw the earlier FNTA Bill, which had been introduced during the Assembly’s eighth session in March. Speaker Sharingain Longkumer put the motion to the House, which approved it through a voice vote. The earlier bill, scheduled for consideration and passing on March 27, had been deferred and referred back to the state government for further examination following concerns over the proposed powers and functions of the FNTA, which covers six districts of eastern Nagaland. The Speaker said any amendments or clarifications to the revised bill should be submitted by 2 pm on Wednesday. The revised legislation follows discussions between the state government, Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) and legislators from eastern Nagaland to address legal and constitutional concerns surrounding the proposed authority. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had last week expressed hope that the revised bill would be passed on September 3. Rio said the revised proposal had been discussed with representatives of the ENPO, who agreed to the “points”, after which the matter was communicated to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The earlier bill was deferred after the Ministry of Home Affairs sought more time to examine the proposal to confer legislative powers on the FNTA.