MSME Ministry announces Rs10k Cr package for Nagaland

Our Correspondent KOHIMA, FEBRUARY 27 The Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Kalraj Mishra, who visited Nagaland on February 26 to inaugurate the Regional Conclave of MSME at Chumukedima has announced Rs.10,000 crore to be sanctioned for Nagaland for development of the MSME sector in the state. This was stated by the Chief Minister, TR Zeliang while delivering a speech at the Nagaland Youth Summit on Saturday at the NBCC Convention Centre, Kohima. He relayed that the Union Minister informed there is no dearth of funds for projects of micro enterprises development and food processing and had specifically asked all the NE states to prepare DPR of the same for submission to the Ministry. While asserting that this is a huge opportunity for Nagaland owing to the state’s potential in agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry, the Chief Minister pointed out that in order to further the growth and development of this sector including the areas of food processing and marketing, the Naga youth must be prepared to be inducted in the sector so as to make a significant impact on the economy of the state. The state government will help them in securing bank loans and will also try to provide the beneficiaries’ share in the form of working capital subsidy, besides government schemes, he assured. Zeliang, who was also the chief patron of the two-day summit organized by YouthNet in collaboration with the state government, exhorted the massive gathering of youth at the event to make the best use of their prime years by activating themselves and applying their talents to make good use of opportunities available to them. Remarking that the government sector is over saturated, he advocated for creation of private investments and promote the Centre’s slogan ‘Make in India’ in a localised form ‘Make in Nagaland’. This would mean that the people have to open their land to global companies to come and invest and manufacture, he said, and asked if the (Naga) people are prepared to do that.He urged upon the youth to study and learn the concept of initiatives such as the Nagaland Special Development Zones (NSDZ) and constitution of Investment Boards, which failed to take off due to criticism from various quarters despite being passed in the Assembly. “We have to change our mindset and be mentally prepare to move forward,” Zeliang stated. Meanwhile, acknowledging that the talent and proficiency of the Naga youth are poised to propel the state to progress and prosperity, the Chief Minister pointed out that yet there is a vital gap in human resource or human capital. He said there is sufficient number of professionals and technical diploma holders but no construction workers. “Even when the Centre or the State sanctions any important project, we, the Nagas cannot implement any project by ourselves, without the assistance of outsiders as construction workers,” Zeliang lamented. He fears that if the situation of influx of construction workers from outside, many of whom are suspected to be illegal immigrants, continues then it would pose a threat of changing the demographic profile of the state in the long run. He said that out of about Rs.3000-4000 crores of developmental expenditure being spent annually, only a small fraction remains in the state as contractors’ margin of profit, taxes etc and about 90% of the total cost is spent on construction materials and on thousands of construction workers, both of which come from outside the state. The Chief Minister stated that if the YouthNet and the youth of Nagaland are prepared to pick up a mission to develop a workforce then the state government is ready to announce 2016 as the ‘Year of Construction Workers’. He asked the delegates of the two-day youth summit to deliberate the matter and get back to the government. He observed that there are a number of young entrepreneurs in Nagaland who are doing well in their own areas, but he feels that there is a lack of proper coordination and synergy among them. Towards this, Zeliang called upon the YouthNet to explore the possibility of functioning as an umbrella organization to coordinate and help in finding solution. He assured that the department of Youth Resources & Sports will actively associate with the activities as coordinator and facilitator when required. He further congratulated the YouthNet team on completion of 10 years and lauded their various initiatives towards uplifting the youth. He also hoped that the discussions that take place at the summit will give direction to the youth and the state government to move forward. Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, Neiphiu Rio in a special address at the Nagaland Youth Summit today said history is important but the future is much more important. He asserted that only talking about the past and the achievements of forefathers will not help anyone survive, and if the youth want their future, they will have to make sacrifices and work hard for it. Underscoring the need for the youth to develop a right attitude, have commitment and move with the time and the changes that come to them, Rio reiterated that success cannot come without hard work and sacrifices, and he challenged the gathering to ask themselves if they are prepared to make sacrifices to pursue their dreams and ambitions. Stating that the youth must struggle, compete and catch up with others to be successful, he pointed out that the government and leaders also must support the youth as they are the hope and future leaders. “We have talented youth, we have capable people and our young Nagas have excelled in their studies, in their disciplines. But their commitment, hard work and the sacrifice is lacking and that is where we need to discuss, at times like this, how to prepare ourselves,” Rio said. He expressed dismay that in the ranking of business investment and the progress that is going on for the country, Nagaland ranks 31 out of the 32 states and Union Territories that were listed. Gujarat tops the list while Arunachal Pradesh ranks at No.32 after Nagaland. To this, the MP said it becomes necessary for the people to introspect and question themselves where they have gone wrong and what is happening to them. The one thing that has impacted the Naga society the most both in positive as well as negative ways, he observes, is the Naga political issue. He stated that the impact on the Naga people has been huge and they have now come to a new position, where at this juncture, the Naga people have to really think where they stand and how they should go about the issue. He asserted that it is not only the leaders, but the stakeholders and particularly the youth, their voices have to be heard. He said, “Naga nationalists, Naga political groups starting from NNC to NSCN to different groups, they have achieved their purpose. Nobody has failed. Their struggle, their sacrifices had not been in vain because the Government of India has recognized Naga issue as political issue, and the fighting had also made the latter recognize the uniqueness of the Naga issue.” Calling upon the youth not to think that Naga nationalists have failed to get sovereignty or independence, Rio pointed out that they have in fact achieved something, though not everything, and that the time for Nagas to come together and apply their minds at what the best option would be for them to move forward. “If we can come together, we can reconcile and come to terms then there will be a future for the younger generation, otherwise we will continue to fight over what is not available and there will be no solution,” he stated. On the aspect of preparing the next generation, he shared about the Centre’s new policies and initiatives to make a global India by skilling India and assured that the Nagas will also have their share of the policy but he maintained that the people must be broadminded. On the developmental initiatives of the state government such as the Special Economic Zones, foothill road, railway line etc which could not take off till now, he also voiced that the concept note has to be distributed to the youth, civil societies, business communities and leaders and re-discuss their implementation. The MP also highlighted the Centre’s concept of cluster villages and roll them into townships in future, called the “Rurban Mission”. He said this program has potential to open an array of avenues and opportunities for young Nagas including entrepreneurship and employment. A new list of potential “rurban” locations will be coming out in April, he said, and hoped that Nagaland makes it to the “rurban map”. He encouraged the Naga youth to get into skills development, which he foresees will increase in demand in future. He called upon them to reassess their situation, look at their opportunities, retrospect as well as introspect, and recommit themselves afresh to achieve their goals. The MP lauded YouthNet team on completing 10 years journey, bringing pieces together with their different initiatives for the youth of Nagaland, showing consistency and leadership quality. He hoped YouthNet will continue to work for the youth, partnering with the state government towards uplifting the society. Former Chief Secretary and YouthNet chief mentor, Alemtemshi Jamir also shared a thought provoking message to the youth on the occasion. He said Naga youth have tremendous potential and power but they must ask themselves where that power and potential are going to go and how they are going to use those capabilities. He exhorted them to do away with the much prevalent negativism and start thinking positively. Outgoing director YouthNet, Hekani Jakhalu in her address, shared about the celebration of the Naga youth as part of the 10th year commemoration of YouthNet, addressing the dreams and aspirations of the youth. Commemorating the occasion, YouthNet came up with an award called the “Trailblazer Award” to recognize the contribution of a young person towards the society in different aspects. The award was given to Kohima-based musician and entrepreneur, Theja Meru. The following are the recommendations that were made at the Nagaland Youth Summit 2016’s three thematic sessions to be forwarded to the state government for further action-- Good Governance: 1. Enable public participation at all levels, especially the youth at pre policy stage of consultation and implementation process. 2. Make use of all forms of media for engaging citizens’ participation 1. To set up an Entrepreneurship cell that will provide entrepreneurship skills and work with banks to provide- - 100 units financing under CGTSME (credit guaranteed small and medium enterprise) up to an amount of 1 Crore - 1000 units financing under Mudra-Tarun up to 10 lakhs annually. 1. To declare the year 2016 as the year of construction workers. 2. To give an opportunity to skilled candidates from local training institutes. 3. Set up BPOs in Nagaland 4. Outsource government projects to the private sector. 5. To start soft skills classes from the school level.