Kohima, March 21: The Naga people can now be assured that the state government will hold consultations with all the stakeholders, tribe bodies and civil organisations for a consensual approach towards the conduct of elections to urban local bodies (ULB) and other related matters at the right time.
This was stated governor, PB Acharya while addressing the 15th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly which commenced today.
Elections to the ULBs have been kept in abeyance till date, following the differences that erupted between the government and the Naga tribe bodies. The entire row over the ULB elections also led to violence and resulted to the death of two young Nagas, following which the elections were declared null and void on February 2.
It may be recalled that the elections to the ULBs, notified on December 21 2016, were opposed by several tribe bodies and groups on the ground that the 33 % for women in ULB elections will infringe Article 371(A) of the Constitution.
On matters concerning the 7th Revision of Pay, the governor said the government has decided to implement ROP for state government employees following the implementation of recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission by the central government.
“This will bring much needed relief to the state government employees,” Acharya said maintaining that “the additional financial burden should draw our attention on the need to raising revenue and economizing on government expenditure to the extent possible.”
Acharya also stressed on gender equality and women empowerment. “While the principle of gender equity in the workplace is generally accepted, discriminatory practices persist in many places,” he said and urged the need to create an open and friendly atmosphere with holistic view involving all sections of the society to eliminate the gender biases, particularly those embedded in our traditions and culture.
By ensuring the rightful and dignified status of mothers, sisters and daughters, the governor was optimistic that “it will provide a solid foundation to nurture the inner strength, creativity and self esteem of women from all walks of life.
In his address, he extensively emphasized on quality education and on how to go about with its applications. “The accessibility and availability of the schools has been addressed to a great extent by suitable interventions over the past many years, the emphasis now is on quality education,” he remarked adding that the government also plans to focus on investing in institutions of higher learning with a balanced regional spread so that students of all parts of the state are able to receive quality higher education.
“To make our graduates employable or entrepreneurs in line with the guidelines of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), the government is considering adding courses on skill knowledge in the degree courses,” he informed.
“Our education system, each year, churns out several youth equipped with degrees but without skills that guarantees jobs in the job market. This is an area where our government shall take corrective measures. Establishing institutions which encourage entrepreneurship, employment generation and skill development and in creating an eco-system, which nurtures private enterprise, will be one of the highest priorities of my government,” Acharya underscored.
On Naga political issue, the governor said his government supports the ongoing political dialogue between the GoI and the NSCN (IM), and would continue to strive to work for a final solution to the more than six decades old Naga political issue in a peaceful, inclusive and honourable manner.
He also made a sincere appeal to NSCN (K) to resume ceasefire with the GoI in the larger interest of the Nagas. The Governor also hit out at the huge presence of non-functioning cooperatives, which he underlined as a crucial factor hindering the progress of cooperative movement in the state.
He informed that a step has been taken in this direction by cancelling the registration of 342 non-functioning cooperatives; while he also stated that the government will take steps for encouraging Agriculture Cooperative Societies for marketing of the agricultural produce and thereby eliminating the middlemen.
On infrastructure sector, he also pointed out the absence of robust connectivity as one of the key impediment which has hindered economic growth in the State. “This has a direct impact on inflow of private investments as well as movement of tourists,” he added.
