Nagaland governor, P.B. Acharya, on Tuesday said that state government would hold consultations with all the stakeholders, civil society organisations and the tribe hohos for arriving at consensual approach towards Urban Local Bodies (ULB) election and related matters at the right time.
Addressing the first day of the 15th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), the governor said the state government on the one hand made progress on several developmental fronts, but on the other hand it faced various problems in conducting elections to ULB in the state, which led to violence and ultimately ULB elections declared null and void on February 2, 2017.
Acharya while mourning the death of two young men killed on January 31, 2017 in Dimapur also lamented that functioning of government offices was disrupted due to bandhs. The governor said that a judicial inquiry has been ordered to inquire into the matter.
On the construction of India-Myanmar international border fencing along Pangsha under Noklak sub-division by Myanmar government, the governor said through the collective efforts of the civil society organizations, the state government and the Centre, it has been possible to impress upon the Myanmar government to stop the border fencing work.
He said that such move on the part of the Myanmar government had the potential to adversely affect the free movement regime. Acharya said the state government would continue to make efforts to ensure that no similar fencing works were carried out in the international border areas of Nagaland.
Reiterating the state government’s support to the ongoing political dialogue between the government of India and the NSCN (I-M), the governor said the government would continue to strive to work for a final solution in a peaceful, inclusive and honourable manner.
Acharya informed the house that state government has recently constituted Political Affairs Mission (PAM), replacing the erstwhile political affairs committee, to spearhead the government’s efforts in this area. The governor also reiterated his appeal to NSCN (K) to resume ceasefire with the government of India in the larger interest of the Nagas.
Meanwhile, the governor highlighted the achievements, policies, programmes and plans of the state government.
On administration and justice, he said the village guards would be strengthened by creation of two posts of assistant commandant at Thonoknyu in Tuenang district and at Meluri in Phek district.
With regard to agriculture and allied sector, the governor said the state was deficit in rice production by 24%, but maintained that the government’s priority was to increase production and productivity with suitable technologies in farming systems and achieve food security.
In fisheries sector, the governor said the government envisages enhancing local production to about 8,500 metric tons during 2016-17. Acharya said under the National Afforestation Program, the department of environment, forests & climate change has brought an area of 2,130 hectares under afforestation in 2016-17. He said recently it was decided to create two forest divisions – one each for Kiphire and Longleng districts.
On education, health, social and economic services, Acharya said the school education department was trying to address the quality issue by putting stress on training of teachers, their redeployment in a more rational manner and by doing school rationalization exercise.
Further, he said it has proposed to provide 2 KW solar lighting in all the 253 government high schools in the state.
He informed that greater focus on science education and commerce was also proposed. To make the graduates employable or entrepreneur in line with the guidelines on MHRD, he said the government was considering adding courses on skill knowledge in the degree course.
He informed that ministry of labour and employment has approved for establishment of one vocational rehabilitation centre for persons with disability in Nagaland.
Acharya also informed that food and civil supplies has successfully launched the national Food Security Act, covering 14.06 lakh persons in the state as beneficiaries.
In corporation sector, he said a crucial factor hindering the progress of cooperative movement in the state was the huge presence of non-functioning cooperatives. He said a step has been taken in this direction by cancelling the registration of 342 non-functional cooperatives as poor recovery of loans poses a hurdle for economic progress.
On infrastructure sector, the governor pointed out that another key impediment that has hindered economic growth in the state was the absence of robust connectivity, which had direct impact on inflow of private investments as well as movements of tourists.
He said state government has been stressing on accelerating the construction of roads.
Acharya said PHE department will provide drinking water supply to 42 habitations, which were not covered or partially covered under the National Rural Drinking water programme. He also said that 18 habitations having water quality problems would be provided with water treatment units.
He said the project for augmentation of water supply to Kohima town under the ministry of urban development was nearing completion while water supply schemes for Wokha Town and new district headquarters Peren funded by the ministry of DoNER were in active progress.
The governor further informed that department of industries and commerce has formulated a package of incentives for promotion and setting up of industrial units and revitalization of sick industrial units in the state.
On power sector, Acharya said state’s biggest challenge was to bring down the huge revenue gap. He said that under the re-structured accelerated power development reform programme, commercial activities were being IT enabled and online billing and payment services have been launched in Dimapur and Chumukedima with Kohima ready to follow shortly.
Under new and renewable energy, governor said the government intended to reinvigorate hydropower projects.
Saying much has been done yet more remained to be done, the governor expressed hope that the house through its sincere and intense deliberations would address the pressing issues, confronting the state and its people.
Meanwhile, NLA speaker, Dr. Imtiwapang Aier, informed that debate on motion of thanks to the governor’s address would be held on March 23.