Kohima, March 24 (EMN): MLA Merentoshi Jamir, MLA Neiba Kronu, Parliamentary secretary of Home Guard & Civil Defence EE Pangteang, Advisor of Geology and Mining Naiba Konyak and Minister of Roads and Bridges Y Vikheho Swu moved the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address on the third day of the fifteenth session of the twelfth Nagaland Legislative Assembly on March 24.
Joining the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, MLA Merentoshi called on the members to give more emphasis on the youth of the State. He lamented that the State’s natural resources remained untapped especially in the far flung areas due to lack of transportation facilities. He said the government should not be a source of employment but a source of generating employment. He suggested on earmarking a certain amount of funds in all departments to help and encourage the youth in developing their potentials.
Though efforts have been taken up by the government to uplift and promote the youth in the State, especially in the field of sports, Jamir said the State still lack state-of-the-art sports infrastructures.
He said it the bounded duties of the elected members to take forward the programmes and activities so that the people are benefitted. While admitting there are problems pertaining to finances, Jamir asserted that ‘whatever resources we have, we must ensure that it is put to good use so that people can benefit.’
Appreciating the government and the department for upgrading the Indira Stadium in Kohima and the ongoing works of Astroturf football ground, floodlight and installation of synthetic tracks, Jamir suggested the government to take up more of such projects in order to promote the young talented youth in the field of sports.
Lamenting the non-functioning of Wazeho Cement Plant, where MoU was signed in 2014, Jamir maintained that any machinery that is kept for a number of years need to be replaced. He said sincere efforts should be made in order to make it operational at the earliest. This, he said, will enable the youth to start working in exploring the natural resources.
He also mentioned that the Bamboo Resort at Dimapur can generate avenues for the upcoming young people to take up entrepreneurship in the field of bamboo. Stating that the youth should not be encouraged to look at government job as a source of employment, Jamir said the government should be looked at as a force through which employment can be generated.
In this regard, he suggested the government to think of putting into policy as ‘youth audit’ or ‘youth budget’ by earmarking a certain percentage in every department to concentrate on youth developmental activities to encourage, train and skill the youths towards earning livelihood.
Referring to the unprecedented situation in the recent months, Jamir noted the growing frustration level among the youth, which he referred to as ‘a culmination of many other issues that has been building up over the years.’
He also noted the existence of negativity among the youth against the government, which he said is not coming out on its own. Hence, he stated on the need for the government to address the problems of the youth at the earliest and remove the growing frustration to avoid such situations in the future.
Also stating that there the paradigm shift in decision making basing on the pulse and voice of the youth in the world, Jamir maintained that the State government should also reconsider and rethink while making decision in the future by listening to the voice of the youth.
Appreciating the efforts of government in pushing for an early solution to the Naga political issue with the setting up of a Political Affairs Mission (PAC), Jamir said an early solution will play an important role in taking the State forward, especially the youth. Justifying his opinion, he said a solution will create a sense of security, certainty, stability and belonging among the youths, and therefore the government should continue to work to bring a settlement at the earliest.
In conclusion he said while implementing any works be it developmental or policy, requested the members to implement the works keeping in mind ‘transparency, accountability and good governance’ through actions.
Participating on the debate, MLA Neiphrezo Keditsu stressed on the need to give more emphasis on Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) by setting realistic target and time bound, as he noted that many a times practical emphasis is not given importance.
He said developing PSUs can generate more revenue and help unemployment issue which the State is facing a great challenge at the moment.
On Article 371 (A) of the Indian constitution, which provides the Nagas with privileges and rights, the MLA pointed out that these rights and privileges to be protected, solely depends on the elected members. He therefore called on the house to pay hid to any issue that are related with the article.
Also touching upon the Article 371 (A), Keditsu mentioned that the Article was specifically meant to protect the rights of the Nagas. He therefore called upon the house to pay hid to any issue that are related with the Article. He said it is a right which all of us share and not just the members of the House, but even the Nagas outside also.
Advisor, Naiba Konyak and Parliamentary Secretary, EE Pangteang also participated in the debate.
