Dimapur: The Nagaland Assembly on Thursday passed the revised Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Bill, 2026, providing for a special administrative arrangement for the state’s six eastern districts.
The bill was passed on the second day of the ninth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly after the previous version, which was scheduled for consideration on March 27, was deferred over concerns about the proposed powers and functions of the authority.
The revised legislation provides for special provisions aimed at addressing developmental gaps in Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak and Shamator, with a focus on roads, education, healthcare, employment and other infrastructure.
Taking part in the discussion, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the proposed authority was intended to provide decentralised governance and address the social, economic, educational, cultural and linguistic aspirations of people in eastern Nagaland.
Rio said the six districts had continued to face developmental deficits due to historical and geographical challenges. He said the state government had worked with the Centre, the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) and other stakeholders to address legal and constitutional concerns surrounding the legislation.
He reiterated that the safeguards guaranteed under Article 371(A) of the Constitution would remain protected.
The chief minister also said the state government had sought an increase in the proposed special developmental grant from Rs 5,000 crore to a minimum of Rs 10,000 crore to accelerate infrastructure development and economic growth in the region.
Under the proposed arrangement, the state government will allocate funds to the FNTA based on population and geographical size, while the Centre will provide funds through special development grants, taking into account the region’s developmental requirements.
The FNTA will also prepare its own annual plans and formulate development programmes based on grassroots-level requirements, according to the bill.
Twelve members were nominated to participate in the Assembly discussion on the legislation.
Opening the debate, Housing and Mechanical Engineering Minister P Bashangmongba Chang, who represents eastern Nagaland, thanked the Centre and the state government for bringing the FNTA legislation forward.
Chang said the initiative was the result of efforts involving the Centre, the state government, the ENPO and other stakeholders. The chief minister subsequently moved the bill for consideration and passage.
Rio said the FNTA was intended to address the long-standing developmental concerns of eastern Nagaland while providing a framework for democratic and decentralised governance within the state.