EMN
DELHI, MARCH 18
Nagaland’s only member in the Lok Sabha today urged the Government of India to take up necessary measures to declare Kohima, the capital of Nagaland as India’s 25th World Cultural Heritage site.
Participating in the ongoing Parliament session’s budget discussion, the former chief minister stated that the Battle of Kohima was a history changing event that changed the course of history for India and the world.
The Battle of Kohima was declared as the most significant battle victory for Great Britain.Rio stated that more than 4000 British and Indian soldiers lost their lives in Kohima’s battle while the invading Japanese army lost more than 7000 lives.
In view of Kohima’s significant role in modern history, Rio urged the Centre to declare the Kohima region as a World Cultural Heritage site, which would greatly boost tourism for the entire region.
He also highlighted the vast potentials of the north east in the tourism sector as the region is blessed with abundant natural beauty along with rich and vibrant bio-diversity.
The Government of Nagaland commemorates the Battle of Kohima with a World War II Peace Rally that has participants from all over the region and abroad involving vintage and 2nd world war vehicles.
He said that the tourism potentials include eco-tourism, cultural tourism, rural tourism, adventure sports etc.
With regard to the Trans-Asian Highway, Rio objected to the re-alignment of the highway in the north eastern region. He said that the original highway was supposed to be Guwahati Imphal via Dimapur and Kohima.
However, it is now being diverted through Silchar and Jiribam towards Imphal. Rio highlighted that even the ASEAN Car Rally had taken the original route going through Dimapur and Kohima. He said that realignment of the highway would avoid the heart of Nagaland and the main habitations while adding that “we do not disagree of a highway going through Silchar and Jiribam but the original alignment of the highway passing through Dimapur and Kohima should not be avoided.
Speaking on the agricultural potential of the region, Rio stated that this part of the Himalayan region is strong in agriculture with fertile soil and the added advantage of organic cultivation. He appreciated the emphasis on organic cultivation which has been stressed by the Prime Minister. Rio regretted that agricultural practices are still outdated as farmers are still reliant on old and outdated techniques. He called upon the government of India to enhance agri and allied sector by improving overall infrastructure like establishment and upgradation of agriculture colleges and universities, skill development and capacity building centers and intensified farmer development programmes. He said that mechanized and modern techniques, modern technology and scientific research are the need of the hour. He further added that changing weather patterns and unpredictable climate needs to be tackled with technological backup and scientific knowledge.
Nagaland MP, Neiphiu Rio today, while participating in the budget session of parliament appreciated the view of the Centre that the North eastern Region (NER) was lacking in development and infrastructure and that there is a need to being the region on par with the rest of the country.
Extending support to the budget speech, Rio welcomed the several initiatives and measures undertaken by the NDA Government for growth and consolidation of the economy and upliftment of the welfare of different sections of the people.
Rio welcomed the Government’s acceptance of the 14th Finance Commission’s recommendations especially regarding the devolution, that is, 42 percent of the receipts of taxes and duties to the States. He also welcomed the Finance Minister’s announcement that about 62 percent of the Central receipts would flow to the states in keeping with the spirit of cooperative federalism.
Rio objected to the complete delinking of central assistance for police modernization of the states especially the special category states. He asked the Centre to revisit this decision as it would deprive the states of significant central assistance especially in the backdrop of the situation prevailing in the insurgency and militancy affected states.
Rio drew the attention of the Government towards the Sukhla Commission report on transforming the NER and also the Vision 20-20 which highlighted critical gaps in infrastructure, especially in power, communication, railways, roads and the urgent need to upgrade educational institutes and educational infrastructures. With regard to Look East Policy (LEP), the MP stated that the Government’s decision to catalyze investments from the Indian private sector to the SEAN countries through a special purpose vehicle and project development companies has been well noted. He however, urged the GoI to fully involve the NER in the implementation of the LEP.
He said, India’s private sector has to be motivated, mentored and institutionally coaxed to upgrade and involve the entrepreneurs and capable youth of the region in the “act east policy”.
Rio further hoped that the GoI would establish the Skill Development Mission in the north east region so that the region is converted into an asset for the region. The north east, he said, is a hotbed for insurgency with a fluid political scenario and this needed the governments to divert the attention of the youths away from insurgency and anti-social elements that they can make positive contributions towards nation building. “Therefore capacity building is required”.
Rio welcomed the establishment of the MUDRA Bank while highlighting that the Credit Deposit ratio in Nagaland is very low and is below 40 percent and much below the minimum target of 60 percent whereas the national average is 76 percent. This, he said, needs the close monitoring of the Centre so that the region is benefited.
Rio welcomed the announcement of Institute of Science and Educational Research in Nagaland and assured the full cooperation of the state government towards early realization of this project.
He further reminded the union government that even after 51 years, Nagaland still does not have a medical college and the state capital, Kohima does not have an airport. He hoped that the Centre would take note of these aspects and take them up as priorities.
