Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, JULY 21
The week long 9th Session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly under the recently formed ‘oppositionless government’ led by the Chief Minister TR Zeliang commenced today.
Addressing the August House, Governor PB Acharya expressed his happiness over the current inclusive government that “enjoys the trust and confidence of all the 60 members” without an opposition bench. “This is the first time in the history of Nagaland Assembly, and perhaps also in the country that the government has been joined by all members of the House on a common agenda of peace and development,” the Governor said. He hoped the members would collectively contribute their wisdom through this unique arrangement and take the state forward on the road to peace and development.
The Governor lauded the NLA Speaker for having formed the Nagaland Legislators’ Forum as well as the Parliamentary Working Committee of the Forum on the Naga Political Issue. He expressed confidence that through collective efforts of all the MPs and MLAs of the state, the Naga peace process will receive a renewed thrust and importance it deserves from the Centre and bring about early solution to the protracted Naga political problem.
On the law and order front, Acharya says the over-all situation has been peaceful however he pointed out that following the abrogation of ceasefire by NSCN (K) in March early this year, sporadic attacks on security forces were carried out by the former and had resulted in the death of several security forces personnel. Stating that this has brought about an uneasy situation in the state, he appealed to both the NSCN (K) and the Government of India to keep the security and welfare of the people paramount and try to rebuild ceasefire in right earnest.
The Governor also termed the recent dispute over ownership of Dzükou and Kezoltsa between the Southern Angami and Mao people as “a matter of great concern”. While acknowledging the reconciliatory efforts made by the Church and tribal organizations at various levels on the issue, he hoped that good sense will prevail so that the situation may be resolved through peaceful dialogue as per Naga customary practices. On the land dispute between Chentang and Yakor villages, Acharya hoped that the government appointed team of mediators would work out a formula for an amicable resolution.
On the High Powered Committee which was constituted to look into the existing multiple taxations, the Governor said the state government is in the process of examining the report through a committee of senior officers and appropriate action will be taken after due examination.
The Governor also highlighted some ongoing programmes, initiatives and achievements of the state government in various sectors.
Power: The power department is pursuing the implementation of the 180 MW Dikhu Hydro Electric project on PPP mode and negotiation with landowners of the area are going on, he said. Also, he stated that the Comprehensive Transmission and Sub Transmission Scheme to be funded by the Center and World Bank have been approved as a central sector scheme to be implemented by Power Grid Corporation of India and will be handed over to the state power department after completion. He said the department is also in the process of implementing two CSS –Integrated Power Development Scheme and Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti- which would go a long way in providing reliable power supply for both urban and rural dwellers respectively.
Vigilance Commission: The Governor stated that a total of 45 corruption cases were registered by the investigation wing of the vigilance commission in the last one year and the commission has secured conviction in 19 cases. Also, 75 cases are said to be under investigation.
Roads and Transport: In a land-locked state like Nagaland, the Governor said roads provide are the main means of transport and communication. He said the government is aware that the state’s roads are in poor condition due to non-availability of road maintenance funds with the government. Towards this, a number of centrally sponsored schemes are being implemented under NEC and NLCPR. He said the ministry of Road Transport & Highways is also funding 12 roads across the state under ISC, CRF and E&I schemes. On rural roads, he said the department is implementing PMGSY/Bharat Nirman scheme and out of 56 sanctioned roads, 25 have been completed and 31 are in progress. As part of national highways development, he said the department has projected for the widening of existing intermediate lane to 2-lane on NH-61 for a length of 49.4 kms, improvement of NH-36, NH-155 and newly declared highways.
The Governor stated that the state transport department (NST), with an objective to improve revenue collection, is implementing Intelligent Transport System for strengthening public transport. He said construction of helipad in all districts and major sub-division headquarters another priority area of the government. He also said the motor vehicles department under transport commissioner has, for the sixth consecutive year, exceeded the revenue target set by the Finance department.
Geology & Mining: Governor said the department is undertaking economic feasibility studies on manufacture of coal, desulphurization of coals for thermal power plant, manufacture of soil conditioner from coal waste of Nagaland for reclamation of degraded soil etc. He said three oil zones have been awarded to two oil companies for undertaking oil exploration and development under rules and regulations framed and approved by the Assembly under Article 371-A of the Constitution. “Other oil bearing zones will also be considered for allotment shortly,” Acharya said, adding, it is expected that the economic conditions of the people and resources of the state government will be boosted greatly once the oil and gas development activities go into “full stream”.
Education: The Governor highlighted that 200 new primary teachers were being appointed to meet the shortfall of teachers in Mon, Tuensang and Kiphire. The issue of non-availability of local candidates in Maths and Science subjects is also being taken care of by appointing general candidates from outside.
Under SSA, Activity and competency learning were being implemented in 437 primary schools and 690 more schools are to be covered to improve quality of learning.
During 2015-16, he said, setting up of DIET centers at Peren, Longleng and Kiphire including 8 new Block Institute of Teacher Education (BITE) in over 8 districts are in the pipeline.
On Higher Education, he stated the department has selected 7140 meritorious students and 77 Research Scholars for state research scholarships for the academic year2014-15. Meanwhile 4000 ST students will be covered under CSS post matric scholarship to ST students, involving a sum of Rs.27 crores approximately. The department is also implementing Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) in all the 15 Government colleges of the state, which is a performance based funding programme aiming to provide greater autonomy to colleges.
In Technical Education division, he said 6 new Polytechnic Institutes are going to be set up in the state under the Coordinated Action for Skill Development scheme.
Labour & Employment: Governor said the department of Labour and Employment & Craftsmen Training will be renamed as the department of ‘Labour & Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship’ in line with the new national policy of skill development and entrepreneurship.
He also mentioned that as per the Building & Other Construction Workers Act 1996, the department has constituted the Nagaland Building & Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board. Till date, 4051 constructions workers have registered with the board and registration drive is continuing in all the districts. He stressed on the need to encourage unemployed Naga youth to take up construction works, not only to avail benefits provided under welfare fund but also to do away with the state’s dependence on construction workers from outside the state. Towards this end, he reminded that the ever increasing presence of construction workers from outside the state has been causing many social tensions in the state.
IT & Communications: The department is planning to set up Software Technology Park of India (STPI) at Kohima and Dimapur with support from the Ministry of Communication & IT, the Governor said. Nagaland is currently at No. 2 in the country in e-transactions under the State Portal &
State Services Delivery Gateway (SP & SSDG) and 21 common service centres (CSC) are enabled with Financial Inclusion 41 more will be enabled with the same soon.
Science & Technology: The department recently established the Nagaland Science & Technology Council (NASTEC) at Kohima, set up Nagaland Science Centre at Dimapur with 3D theatre, and Sanitary Napkin Production Unit at Kohima, while Innovation Hub along with a planetarium is under construction. The Governor said that under NASTEC, State Remote Sensing Application Centre, Biotechnology Hub, and Patent Information Centre have been made functional while State Referral Laboratory for Water Quality Testing and Monitoring is in progress.
Soil & Water Conservation: Under the department, 680 hectares of land was developed for agricultural production during 2014-15, the Governor stated. It also plans to take up a self sustainable integrated organic farming project of three years duration from 2015-16 onwards, involving 660 villages for the benefit of about 1000 jhumia families.
Industries: The Governor pointed out that despite the state government’s best efforts, industrial activity has not been successful in the state for various reasons. And the department of industries is taking up several activities to reverse the situation. He said the proposal for revival of Nagaland Pulp & Paper Corporation Ltd. Tuli, and development of trade and commerce between India & Myanmar are also being actively pursued.
Water (PHED): The department reportedly gave out water connection to 84 habitations during the last financial year and proposes to cover 90 more habitations during the current year. The department is also in the process of implementing Sewerage Treatment Scheme in Dimapur town funded by the Ministry of Forests & Environment. Moreover, the Governor said that roof top rain water harvesting, traditional wells, surface water harvesting and solar powered water treatment units will be taken up in water stressed villages during 2015-16.
Fire & Emergency Services: During the last one year, the department has responded to over 100 emergency calls and had saved property worth about Rs.18 crore, the Governor said. He highlighted that two new fire stations at Peren and Longleng district headquarters are set to become operational soon while three new sub-fire stations at Kohima, Mokokchung and Chiephobozou are under construction, and the government has also sanctioned a new fire station for Tuli Paper Mill.
Land Revenue: The Governor said that a CSS of National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP) to develop modern comprehensive and transparent land management system in the state is in the process, for which, six districts -Mon, Zunheboto, Tuensang, Wokha, Phek and Mokokchung are being covered in the first phase and will extend to other district in phase-wise manner.
