11th NLA session underway

The 2nd session of the 11th Nagaland Legislative Assembly got underway Tuesday at the Assembly Secretariat complex.
Minister for Urban Development, Shürhozelie in a reply to MLA I. Imkong stated that in the current financial year a total of Rs. 146 lakhs which includes Rs. 26 lakhs under state non-plan and Rs.120 lakhs under Twelve Finance Commission have been allocated for Municipal/Town Councils and for Development of small and medium towns during 2008-09 a total amount of Rs. 900 lakhs have been allocated. Earlier replying to a starred query raised by MLA Chingwang Konyak, Minister Shürhozelie said M/S Lea Associates South Asia Private Limited, New Delhi, has been appointed as consultant for preparation of Development Plan for 10 (ten) towns in Nagaland with an amount of Rs. 62.92 lakhs as consultancy charges.
He further said the project requires setting up of dedicated cell/unit by bringing many professionals from various field besides Urban Planners such as Transport Planners, Civil Engineers, Sewerage and Sanitation Specialists, Environment Experts, Soil Specialists, Accountants etc. Total cash receipts from the Government of India during the current financial year till date is Rs. 1123.37 crore informed the leader of the House, Neiphiu Rio while replying to a question put up by MLA I. Imkong.
Responding to a query raised by MLA KL Chishi, in regard to closure of government owned Industries, Parliamentary Secretary, Industries & Commerce Dr. K.C. Nihoshe disclosed that during the last three decades 5 (five) Government owned Industrial units were closed down, namely, Handmade Paper Unit Dimapur, Spice Factory Dimapur, Nagaland Khandsari Sugar Mills Co. Ltd, Jalukie, Nagaland Sugar Mill co. Ltd. Dimapur, Nagaland Distilleries Ltd. Dimapur.
School Education minister Nyeiwang Konyak also said 394 Primary Assistant Teachers were appointed from April 2007 till date in response to Tokheho, Congress MLA.
Home Minister Imkong L. Imchen said the state government has taken up with the central government for further relaxation of Restricted Area Permit for foreigners coming to Nagaland. He said the permit applicable to Nagaland is Protected Area Permit and not Restricted Area Permit.
In a written reply to Congress MLA Chingwang, the home minister said the State has urged the Central Government on the following points to extend the present permissible limit of 10 (ten) days validity for RAP to 30 (thirty) days and to empower the State Government to issue RAP to any Tourist desiring to visit the State without restriction in the size of a tourist group and in the areas to be visited. At present, only in the case of married couple or a group of four or more tourists, the State Government is authorized to issue RAP, and that too only for the “tourist circuit routes” approved by the Central Government.
Further, a total of 594 personnel are currently being deployed for VIP security/ bodyguard duty, informed State home minister L. Imchen. He also said that under the provisions of the constitution of India, State Government is bound to provide security to its citizens, as and when citizens are under threat. Nagaland being an insurgency affected State, threat from various outfits /organizations are frequently issued to prominent citizens, public leaders, senior Government officials, businessmen etc. In such situation, when request for providing security personnel are received, it is first assessed by the Threat Perception Committee (TPC). And based on the recommendation of the TPC, and with the approval of the Government, bodyguards are provided.