‘Infrastructure deficit a major drawback in backward areas’

Eastern Mirror Desk Dimapur, April 20 (EMN): The department of under-developed areas (Duda) particularly for Tuensang and Mon (including Longleng and Kiphire districts) was created to implement people-based developmental programmes for Eastern Nagaland. With this policy the department has made tangible achievements through its programmes namely: under developed areas programme (UDAP) and border area development programme (BADP). As per the department’s annual administrative report for 2017-2018, in UDAP programmes infrastructure deficit is a major drawback in the backward areas. Accelerating the economic growth and bring these areas on equal footing with other districts of the state depends on how fast the deficit is overcome, the report has suggested. The UDAP programme expects to achieve in road sector: construction of new roads (9.356 km), improvement of existing roads (20.89 km), black-topping, soiling and metalling (0.245 km), side-drain (3), culvert (6), construction of retaining/protection wall (5) and water supply (1). In social and infrastructure sector: football ground/play ground (1), community hall/panchayat hall (2), renovation of buildings (1), classroom (1), health sector/construction of PHC/staff-quarter (1), rest/guest house (2), fencing (1), tree plantation/horti-farming (77), public utility buildings (3), fishery pond (1), bridges (1) and waiting-shed/marketing-shed (3). The BADP aims to bring development to the people living in inaccessible and remote areas of the international border, and to develop the border areas with livelihood solutions. The works expected to be achieved under the programme during 2017-18 in road sector: construction of new roads (27.82 km), improvement of existing roads (32.2999 km), black-topping, soiling and metalling (4.486 km), side-drain (4), culvert (10), construction of retaining/protection wall (8) and water supply (7). In social and infrastructure sector: football ground/play ground (9), community hall/ panchayat hall (4), renovation of buildings (3), classroom (8), teachers’-quarter (4), health sector/construction of PHC/staff-quarter (6), community toilet (5), rest/guest house (5), footpath/footsteps, solar light (1), tree plantation/horti-farming (15), public utility buildings (3), cattle farming (1), bridges (4), waiting-shed (3) and seminars/training (16). Gender budgeting Since the inception of the department in 2003, conscientious decisions have been taken to promote women and their livelihood. In eastern Nagaland, out of the total population of 5, 71,344 the female population constitutes 47.84%, according to census 2011. However, women lag behind men on many social indicators like health, education, economic opportunities to name a few. Having realised this gap, the report stated, the department is committed to ensure that gender commitments are translated into budgetary commitments. Among many other women-centric programmes initiated over the years, the department in its 24 page annual administrative report details the programmes initiated by the department under gender budgeting 2017-19: (see table) Coaching classes Also, the department report mentioned that Duda has been implementing a scheme called Special Grant to meritorious students of ENPO studying in Tuensang, Mon, Longleng and Kiphire from 2008-2009 under Research and Planning.  From 2016-17 the programme was converted into ‘coaching programme for students of class X owing to poor HSLC result’. According to the report, among the various factors contributing to poor performance, quality of teachers is the single most important factor influencing students' achievement.  The department has established coaching centres and appointed teachers at: five centres with 20 teachers for Mon and Tuensang, three centres and 12 teachers for Kiphire and Longleng. Create ‘market linkage hub’ The report states that ‘market linkage hub called Anghya’ in all four district headquarters of Eastern Nagaland has been established to maximise the income generation activities in rural areas. However as per sources, the Anghya has been established in Mon and Tuensang districts while in Kiphire and Longleng districts Anghya is yet to be established. It may be mentioned that Anghya Outlet Stall (ENPO Coffee Shop & Retail Outlet) was opened at Midway Resort, Tsiepama village located on National Highway 29 on August 30, 2016. Each hub, it states serves as a collection centre and business centre for products such as handloom and handicraft, and organic food products. Healthcare challenges The challenges of delivering quality healthcare services in eastern areas are diverse and multiple as most of the villages are spread across and among the mountains are not connected by all-weather roads. Therefore the urgency to keep the health equipment in place in the district hospitals, community health centres (CHC), primary health centre (PHC) and sub-centres (SC) is essential, the report stated. Considering this challenges, the department made provisions for medical equipment (although the particulars of equipments were not mentioned) to all healthcare centres in eastern Nagaland: district hospitals (four), CHC (five), PHC (34) and SC (116).