Kohima, March 30 (EMN): Expressing displeasure over poor workmanship of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in the State, MLA Neiba Kronu sought the intervention of the State’s chief minister, minister of Roads & Bridges (PWD) and minister of National Highways in the work affairs of the BRO.
Participating at the discussion on the budget for the year 2017-2018 on the last day of the 15th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly today, Kronu candidly said workmanship of the BRO has been unsatisfactory over the years. He, therefore, impressed upon BRO to be more prompt and active in implementing their assigned task. Stating that 296 km of roads in Nagaland is being covered by the BRO, Kronu, who was the former minister for Planning and Coordination, maintained that BRO’s performance had been poor despite having allotted funds for maintenance of all the roads they cover.
On the commencement of work for the 4-laning of the Dimapur-Kohima section of National Highways 29, Kronu also echoed the words of the chief minister Dr. Shürhozelie, in expressing his hope that the mega project, once completed, will place Nagaland in a central position in the Government of India’s Act East Policy.
Responding to the funds allocation of the State, Kronu suggested on the need for the State to perform better in order to avail more funds for developmental works. Making a comparison, Kronu said other states are making enough funds under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for developing their respective states.
Going by the indicative funds allocation under PMGSY for the financial year 2017-2018, Kronu said only Rs 20 crores have been earmarked for Nagaland, while the funds allocation for all the other north eastern states exceeded Rs 200 crores and above. (see table)
He also informed that Nagaland was left out in the 2016-2017 allocation of funds under PMGSY.
As per the indicative allocation under PMGSY for the financial year 2017-2018, a handsome amount of Rs 777.78 crores have been earmarked for Arunachal Pradesh and followed by Assam with Rs 485.56 crores and Manipur with Rs 324.56 crores. Even Meghalaya, the state nearest to Nagaland, the funds allocation under PMGSY stood at Rs 210.00 crores.
Chief minister Dr. Shürhozelie on Tuesday presented a budget of Rs 3729.51 crores for the coming year 2017-2018, out of which the central sector namely CSS and Central flagship schemes etc., accounted for Rs 3070.51 crores. The State sector or the State flexible fund accounts for Rs 650 crores, which is only about 17% of the total development outlay.
Also pressing on the need for the State government to take corrective measures in the education sector, he expressed hope that it will be done under the leadership of the new chief minister, whom he regarded as a seasoned politician.
Basing on the report presentation that there are more schools in the State than what is required, the MLA urged the Nagas to save the good image of ‘our land and its people.’
He wondered as to why the salary of the teachers keeps on increasing when 660 posts have been freezed by the government.
On the forestry and agricultural sector, where the State government has sought the support of foreign agencies to improve the agri and allied sectors and the forest eco system, he expressed hope that the objective of the government would be fulfilled through these targeted schemes.
While welcoming the funding from the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and the external aid support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Kronu urged upon the government to avoid taking loan from HUDCO which he said has very high interest.
Towards the improvement of agri and allied sector, he pressed the need for the government to aim for certain crops suitable for our soil and which will also be easily marketable and not easily perishable.
