The state Excise department is handicapped by shortage of manpower and resources to tackle the menace of drugs/substance abuse in the State including enforcing the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989.
This aspect was known earlier and reiterated by adviser Labour, Employment & Skill Development and Excise Moatoshi Longkumer Sunday while interacting with media persons at Dimapur airport on arrival from Delhi.
Moatoshi said while the Excise department lacked adequate manpower and resources, the police department on the other hand, has a narcotic cell headed by a senior officer. He excise also reiterated that civil society organisations and ward council members, should also come forward and help the government in controlling the drug menace.
Asked about the purpose for his trip to Delhi, Moatoshi informed that he met several union ministers to discuss Central schemes being implemented in the State. He also informed that he discussed many Central-sponsored schemes (CSS) currently implemented in the State with union minister of state for Entrepreneurship, Skill Development and Electronics & IT Rajeev Chandrashekhar.
The schemes included- Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP), Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), etc. Moatoshi also said he requested the MoS to release funds for various central schemes implemented in the state.
He said that the MoS gave a patient hearing and assured to do the needful. Moatoashi said he also submitted some schemes for implementation in the State, but did not divulge them.
On NHIDCL allegation: Reacting to allegations levelled by National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL)against the state government with regard to the July 4 rockslide in Chümoukedima Moatoshisaid he would await the report of the high-level technical committee before making any comment on the matter on whether the incident was a technical failure or caused by natural calamity.
He also expressed his condolences to the bereaved family members and those injured in the incident.