DIPR
KOHIMA, JULY 23
Replying to a starred question asked by MLA C. Apok Jamir on Nagaland Contingent to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the ongoing 5th Session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang said that the Nagaland contingent was being sponsored by the Nagaland Government with a budget allocation of Rs. 164.11 lakh however the logistic of board, lodging and conveyance in Scotland would be borne by the hosts. He said that the team is composed of 50 members and the selection of the team was through advertisement in the local dailies on 25th and 28th April 2014 inviting for enrolment of participants. He further said that the purpose of the tour was to promote Nagaland to the larger world community with genuine efforts to encourage tourism.
Parliamentary Secretary for CAWD, R. Tohanba while replying to starred question asked by CLP leader Tokheho Yepthomi said that the estimate cost for construction of DC’s office complex, Zunheboto was Rs. 1625.00 lakh but no fund was released till date, he added that the DPR for the project was referred to HLTC for further examination and would be re-submitted in the next SLPIC meeting.
On being asked the names and designation of the Chairman and Secretary of Nagaland Education Mission Society by CLP leader Tokheho Yepthomi, Parliamentary Secretary for School Education, Yitachu replied that Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang is the Ex-Officio President Governing Body (NEMS), Chief Secretary Banuo Z. Jamir is the Chairman Executive Committee and O.T. Chingmak Chang, Mission Director (SSA) and Thejao Vihienuo, Mission Director (RMSA) are the Ex-officio Secretary of EC and GB (SSA) and (RMSA) respectively.
Replying to a starred question asked by CLP leader Tokheho Yepthomi with regard to Liquor Prohibition Act 1989, Parliamentary Secretary Excise, T. Torechu disclosed that 6043 accused were booked under the Liquor Prohibition Act between 2010-14. 332 enforcing personnel are deployed across the state. MLA K. Khekaho Assumi argued that if the implementation of the Act cannot be checked effectively, the government should lift it. “If we cannot generate revenue, let us atleast save revenue”, he reiterated. In this regard, Chief Minister, T.R. Zeliang said that further discussion to lift the Act shall be done in the house, if required. While Tokheho suggested that the Act should be partially lifted through Amendment of the Act.
50 Naga artistes to perform in Scotland
Principal Correspondent
Kohima, July 24
About 50 Naga artistes will be participating the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Edinburgh, Scotland from August 1 to 23. The Nagaland contingent left today to participate in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo under sponsorship of the state government, Chief Minister TR Zeliang informed the State Assembly here today while replying to a starred question raised by Congress MLA C Apok Jamir.
Zeliang informed that the total budget allocation for the tour is Rs 164.11 lakhs while the total composition of the team is 50 comprising 45 performers, 5 officials, and production team. He said the government remains committed towards promoting Nagaland to larger world community with genuine efforts to encourage tourism and soften bottlenecks faced by our guests. He said promoting Nagaland at the seat of the commonwealth of the United Kingdom through the exposure of talented Naga youth is a unique opportunity that holds positives for both- the participants and the state.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe - the largest arts festival in the world is at the heart of the celebrations running simultaneously during this period, which experience professionalism at its best and interact with committed artistes, producers and intellectuals during this international festival.
“For the young participants, it will be a lifetime experience that each individual will carry for the rest of their lives,” Zeliang informed the House. He said that this will be the biggest event that Nagaland has perhaps ever participated in, reaching an unprecedented international audience through live performances and television networks. The performances will also be produced by the BBC on DVDs, which are sold to the international markets through retail outlets and online sales, he said.
The CM also maintained that the spillover, could impact tourism at levels difficult to immediately quantify, yet, positively supplement the Government’s efforts to include a sustainable tourism industry in the long run, and Nagaland’s emerging opportunities from the Government of India’s Look East Policy.
