Principal Correspondent
KOHIMA, JULY 2
MEGHALAYA Governor Krishan Kant Paul took over the additional charge as the 18th Governor of Nagaland today.
Paul was administered the oath of office by Justice T Vaiphei, Judge of Gauhati High Court, at a ceremonial function at Raj Bhavan here.
Addressing the ceremony, the newly sworn-in Governor said, “You are all aware that I am here only for a brief tenure. Nevertheless, I assure you all that I shall uphold the highest traditions of this exalted position and will work for the principles that are sacred to our democratic values.”
He also asserted to uphold the Constitution of India and to devote himself to the service and well being of the people of Nagaland. “These responsibilities, I commit to discharge to the best of my ability. I also commit fairness and justice in the discharge of my functions,” he said.
Describing Nagaland as a beautiful State, Paul said it is often being called ‘The Land of Festivals’, and added that all the tribes in the State make their cultural presentations showcasing unity in diversity of the State in the famous Hornbill Festival.
Explaining that peace is essential for growth and prosperity, he stressed the need to facilitate a conducive social environment to enable the willing participation of all sections of society for inclusive development.
“We need to ensure the highest standards of governance keeping in view the interest of our people in mind. In this, the interests of the poor have to be supreme,” the Governor said.
A retired Commissioner of Police, Paul who held a Constitutional position as member UPSC, was appointed Governor of Meghalaya on July 8, 2013.
Paul has succeeded Ashwani Kumar who resigned as Nagaland Governor on June 25.
Chief Minister TR Zeliang, Assembly Speaker Chotisuh Sazo, a galaxy of Cabinet ministers, parliamentary secretaries and legislators from the Opposition Congress and senior bureaucrats, high ranking police and army personnel attended the swearing-in ceremony.
Govt hopeful of political settlement
Principal Correspondent
KOHIMA, JULY 2
CHIEF MINISTER TR Zeliang today expressed hope that settlement to the decades old Naga political problem will be arrived at in the not too distant future. “Nagas have been fighting for their political rights for more than six decades,” he said while adding that earnest efforts have been made by the state government and the Legislative Assembly to persuade the Union Government to arrive at an expeditious solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political problem.
Lamenting that somehow, the much awaited solution has eluded the Nagas so far, he said, “We are hopeful that some settlement will be arrived at in not too distant a future”.
Welcoming the newly sworn-in Governor Dr. KK Paul during a dinner hosted at State Banquet Hall tonight, the Chief Minister said Nagas are not merely confined to Nagaland but spread across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Myanmar. “Unification of all Nagas under one administrative umbrella has been the craving of all Nagas,” he said adding that the NLA had passed several resolutions in this regard while the DAN Government is deeply committed to this ‘sentimental issue’.
Highlighting the poor financial position of the state, Zeliang said that successive Finance Commissions have not been fair to the state due to which “we are reeling under precarious resource crunch”. He however said “we have taken up the matter with the newly installed NDA government at the centre and we are hopeful that the Union Government will bail us out”.
Reiterating that Nagaland is a resource scarce state, he said the only option for the Naga people to generate own resources is through exploitation of the mineral resources. “These resources in Nagaland belong to the people and not to the state and Article 371(1)(a) of the Constitution guarantees this,” he said.
Nevertheless, he said the state government has accordingly made a legal framework for exploiting petroleum and natural gas and also requested the Centre to support it. “We want to enact such legal frameworks in respect of other mineral resources as well”, he said adding that “once we are on our feet, our dependency on the Union government will reduce while the people of Nagaland will become the arbiters of their economic life”.
In this endeavour, the Chief Minister believed that the Governor will lend support of his office so that Nagaland’s economy is turned around and people of the State are put on a new path of economic recovery.
The Chief Minister also felicitated the new Governor with Naga traditional fineries and attires.
Meanwhile, the Governor Dr KK Paul acknowledged the warm welcome accorded by the state government and also appreciated the cultural and musical presentations. “I have also officially become Naga wearing the Naga traditional attire,” he said.
Colourful cultural presentations by Zeliang & Sangtam dance troupes, and contemporary music by Menguse Soukhrie, Kenei Chale and Rainbow Choir marked the occasion.
