Principal Correspondent
Kohima, June 21
Chief Minister TR Zeliang today said now that the ‘dust of trouble has settled’ the government will seriously move forward for the progress and development of the State.
Speaking during his felicitation programme organised by Zeliang Officers’ Association Nagaland (ZOAN) at Hotel Vivor here this evening, Zeliang said being from a minority community in the State and with just two MLAs from the district (Peren), he had never expected to hold the chair of Chief Minister.
He said even after the smooth transition of leadership, there were problems and he as well as his community was worried about how to carry on with the responsibility. However, the problems have been settled and the dust of trouble has evaporated now, he stated. “Now we have decided to move forward for progress and development of the State,” he asserted.
Towards this end, the CM called upon the officers (bureaucracy) to be serious and build up the coordination with the politicians in order to serve the people.Explaining that politicians and bureaucrats need each other, he requested the officers to give their best as long as they are in service because each day/hour is equally important and everyone should take it as an opportunity to serve the people.
Maintaining that government officers are directly in touch with the requirements of the people at the grassroots, Zeliang stressed that regular interface should be held between the politicians and bureaucrats. The officers should always come forward in giving constructive suggestions to the government, he added.
Lamenting that several developmental projects, especially road sector, are being hindered because of the land ownership in Nagaland, the Chief Minister appealed to the landowners to change the mindset for progress and development in the common interest of the people of the State.
“No will or community should obstruct the road development as the benefit will go to the people,” he said while also stating that landowners should not take Article 371(A) as an instrument for obstruction of development.
The CM also called upon the officers to make the village and tribal leaders understand that no obstruction should be put up for road development.
Reiterating his concept of having equal development for all the 11 districts of the State, Zeliang said any problem should be resolved together by sitting across the table.
The CM also encouraged the ZOAN members to continue to think about the enhancement of the economy and progress of the people of the State. He said the ZOAN members, as government officers, have been posted in different districts and therefore they are the best persons to give suggestions about the requirement of the particular districts. “Give us the corrective suggestion in the interest of the people,” he appealed. “Try to do the best wherever and whichever department you are posted,” he requested. The CM was accompanied by his wife and MLA Namri Nchang.
On behalf of the ZOAN members, Secretary, Agriculture and Parliamentary Affairs, N Benjamin Newmai felicitated Zeliang for taking over as the tenth Chief Minister of the State and the first amongst the Zeliangrong community. He also assured full cooperation and support of the ZOAN members towards serving the people of the State and making Zeliang as the most successful Chief Minister. He also conveyed best wishes for further progress to TR Zeliang while also acknowledging him for giving the ‘greatest pride’ to all the Zeliangrongs by becoming the Chief Minister.
ZOAN president Pausui Zeliang chaired the function. ZOAN general secretary Khamba Haralu tendered the vote of thanks.
