DIMAPUR — Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang on
Monday said that Naga landowners along the disputed Assam-Nagaland border areas
should first come forward and assert ownership of their land so that the state
government can take its own step vis-à-vis oil exploration.
He was responding to questions from journalists about the
Assam government’s reported plans to initiate oil exploration in the
Tzurangkong area of Mokokchung district and the Wokha area bordering Jorhat
district. Assam claims that these areas fall within the Hollongapar Gibbon
Wildlife Sanctuary, while Naga villagers say it lies in the disputed belt.
It was pointed out to the deputy chief minister that despite
the Centre’s wildlife panel granting approval for oil and gas exploration, the
Nagaland government has yet to register any protests on the matter.
In response, Zeliang said that the Naga landowners must
first assert their ownership. “Once the landowners in the respective districts
take a stand, the government will step in to address the matter,” he said.
On the issue of 50-50 revenue sharing between the Nagaland
government and its Assam counterpart, he said that the Union Home Ministry will
implement the agreement. He pointed out that most of the drilling points have
been suspended due to the border dispute.
Asked about the Lamhai-Kiyevi border dispute, Zeliang
reiterated the state government’s “very clear” stance that both sides should
maintain the status quo and refrain from indulging in any development
activities.
When asked if the state government has blacklisted any
contractors in connection with the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s criticism of
agencies and contractors for poor maintenance of the Eastern Peripheral
Expressway, he said that they were directed by the Union Minister last year to
have coordination every month. Gadkari had warned that those responsible will
face forfeiture of bank guarantees and blacklisting from future tenders.
Accordingly, he has convened a meeting on Tuesday with the
National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL)
in Kohima.
He said that they will identify any existing problem and try
to resolve it during the meeting.
When queried about the measures taken along the New
Chümoukedima (Pagla Pahar) stretch of National Highway 29 to prevent highway
blockages before the arrival of the monsoon season, he responded that last year
before Christmas, they had interacted with a consultant group for slope
protection.
According to him, this is a new technology that they want to
implement in the area. However, they could not complete their project report,
so he told them to complete the project report within January and start the
implementation by February or March, he informed.
Earlier in the day, the deputy chief minister inaugurated a
PWD rest house at Jalukie in Peren district.
The building was constructed under the State Plan at a cost
of INR 3.21 crore by MS Dreams Enterprise. This G+1 rest house at Jalukie town
was constructed to cater to the accommodation of visiting officials of the PWD
department as well as the public in general.
Speaking on the occasion as a special guest, Zeliang
described good roads as one of the most important aspects of development, after
which everything else will follow. He, however, pointed out that after the
construction of roads, another headache is their maintenance since they tend to
get “destroyed” within two or three years if they are not maintained well.
He informed that in Peren district, they have got two road
projects sanctioned under the North East Special Infrastructure Development
Scheme (NESIDS), and the contractors have been mandated to maintain the roads
for five years.
In the same manner, he reasoned, the new guest house also
needs proper care management. Therefore, he suggested privatising the building
and charging a nominal rent every month by the department “so that even the
department will start earning revenues.”
Guest of honour and Minister for PWD (H), Bashangmongba
Chang, described the occasion as a significant milestone in the government’s
ongoing efforts to improve public infrastructure and provide better facilities
to government officials, travellers, and visitors.
According to him, the establishing of the new guest house is
a testament to the government's commitment to enhancing infrastructure
development in all parts of Nagaland.
He pointed out Jalukie’s rich cultural heritage and
strategic importance, adding that it deserves modern and well-equipped
facilities to cater to the needs of officials, tourists, and business
travellers.
The minister maintained that the guest house will not only
provide comfortable accommodation but also serve as a hub for administrative
efficiency and hospitality in the region and urged the citizens and the public
to use the facility responsibly and ensure its proper maintenance for the
benefit of all.
