EMN
DIMAPUR, JULY 7
A landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the government of Nagaland and the Tata Trusts to collaborate towards sustainable development and improvement of the overall quality of life of 10,000 households from eight blocks in the three districts of Phek, Kiphire and Tuensang.
A press release received here today informed that the Tata Trusts, through its associate organization – the North East Initiative Development Agency (NEIDA) – would implement the program in Nagaland.
It stated, “NEIDA in co-ordination with the GoN will strive to reduce poverty for low income rural households in the state.”
The memorandum was signed between the chief secretary of Nagaland, Pankaj Kumar and Burzis S Taraporevala of Tata Trusts, effective for a period of five years, it informed. The total outlay of the program is a whopping Rs 134 crores, out of which the Trust would contribute a grant amount of Rs 30 crores for the implementation of the program.
“The remaining funds will be raised from various sources including the community and through credit linkages for the farmers,” it stated.
Through promotion of household level piggery enterprises, forest based livelihoods and conservation initiatives, market oriented agriculture and horticulture production activities we look forward to enabling each household to earn an income of Rs 1.5 lakhs per annum, the statement shared.
“Other pilot projects that are in the pipeline will focus on education, health, youth skill development, drinking water & sanitation to help improve the overall quality of life of the households in Nagaland,” it quoted the Deputy Development Manager, Tata Trusts & Executive Director, NEIDA, Ratno Dharani as saying.
It will design the implementation strategy and ensure an overall governance of the initiative, including financial due diligence. “The GoN will synchronize actions of concerned government departments and agencies so that project objectives are successfully executed. Funding from the GoN will be expected in terms of co-financing the various program activities through its schemes such as NSRLM, MGNREGA, RKVY and key development projects.”
The Tata Trusts is no stranger to Nagaland. It has already funded community development projects through its local partners like the Nagaland Empowerment of People through Economic Development (NEPED), Nagaland Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), Prodigals Home, Eleutheros Christian Society (ECS), Entrepreneurs Associate, Rongmei Baptist Association, Christian Institute of Health Sciences & Research, Agency for Porcine Foundation and Development of Nagaland.
According to the press statement, the chief secretary, Pankaj Kumar had welcomed the initiative taken by the Tata Trusts and assured that the state Government will lend all possible support towards achieving the target for the program in Nagaland.
About North East Initiative Development Agency (NEIDA)
NEIDA operates in three states and has its offices in Kohima, Aizawal and Papumpare. NEIDA will partner with select local NGOs and village level Project Management Committees (PMC).
About Tata Trusts
Tata Trusts are amongst India's oldest, non-sectarian philanthropic organisations that work in several areas of community development. Since its inception, Tata Trusts have played a pioneering role in transforming traditional ideas of charity and introducing the concept of philanthropy to make a real difference to communities. Through a grant-making, direct implementation and co-partnership strategy, the Trusts support and drive innovation in areas of Natural Resources Management, Education, Healthcare & Nutrition, Rural Livelihoods, Enhancing Civil Society & Governance, Arts, Crafts & Culture and Diversified Employment. Trusts engage competent persons and government bodies, international agencies and like-minded private sector organizations to nurture a self-sustaining eco-system that collectively works across all these areas.
