Dimapur, Dec. 11 (EMN): The Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Nagaland, Tokheho Yepthomi raised question in the ongoing winter session of Parliament, seeking information regarding allocation of funds by the Centre for developmental projects in the state.
A press release issued on Wednesday informed that the MP sought details of funds being provided by the Centre for construction of cold storage in Nagaland during 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19, the progress of construction work as well as time for completion.
Replying to the query, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar stated that “funds are provided under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for holistic development of Horticulture in the country, and assistance for development of Post Harvest Management (PHM) including setting up of cold storages”.
‘Under MIDH, INR 31.50 crore were allocated to Nagaland during 2016-17, INR 41.50 crore in 2017-18 and INR 32 crore in 2018-19 for various horticulture activities including construction of cold storages. However, the state government of Nagaland has reported that no funds have been utilised for construction of cold storages during this period,’ Tomar stated according to the press release.
The Union Minister also put on record that the Ministry of Food Processing Industries has approved one cold chain project in Dimapur during 2017-18 with assistance of INR 8.10 crore which has been completed and is functional. He added that another cold storage has been proved during 2018-19 with an assistance of INR 9.67 crore, which is under implementation but no such facility was approved for 2016-17.
The MP also inquired about funds provided for National Highway-702A in Nagaland for the years 2018-19 and 2019-20, and whether the government will provide funds for two-laning of the highway and the completion period, according to the press release. On this, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari replied the Ministry allocates funds state-wise and not NH-wise, adding that ‘allocation made for maintenance and development of National Highways in Nagaland during 2018-19 was INR 726.52 crore and INR 462.54 crore for 2019-20’. He also informed that “two-laning of NH-702A in 82 km length is in progress and two-laning of the balance will be taken up based on inter-se priority, traffic density and availability of funds”.