Leader of the house and chief minister, Neiphiu Rio Tuesday responded to several starred and unstarred quesitons put up by the opposition NPF legislators.
Replying to unstarred questions raised by Y Vikheho Swu, MLA, during the ongoing second session of 13th NLA, Rio said 99 government schools in Nagaland were without maths and science teachers. He said there were a total of 1660 maths and science teachers.
In response to a starred question by Yitachu, MLA, whether the department of school education has appointed any untrained graduate and primary teachers since March 2018, Rio said 43 untrained teachers (both primary and graduate teachers) have been appointed since March 2018. Out of the total appointed, he said 39 were on compassionate grounds and four PTs were appointed on ad hoc basis.
Rio also disclosed that there were 9155 PTs and 3361 GTs under state creation, adding that there were 249 posts of PT and 66 posts of GT vacant under state creation.
Rio said that vacancies would be filled up through the department selection board as per rule 6 B of the NBSE service Rules 2017.
Minister for higher education and technical education, Imna Along, said 11 assistant professors have been appointed w.e.f January 1 till date in an unstarred query by MLA Kezhienyi Khalo. Minister said that on exigency need basis the assistant professors have been appointed on contractual fixed pay due to shortages in government colleges.
Tuli Paper mill revival: Replying to a starred question by opposition member, Dr. Imtiwapang Aier, on the status of the paper mill and the work executed since 2013, Rio said on march 21, 2018, the Department of Heavy Industries (DHI) secretary convened a meeting to decide on future course of action on Nagaland Pulp & Paper Company Ltd. (NPPC). He said decision was that a cabinet committee of economic affairs note for closure of NPPC be prepared expeditiously by DHI. Then on May 14, 2018, the NITI Aayog convened a meeting with Hindustan Paper Corporation (HPC), DHI and chief secretary, Nagaland.
Rio said the first phase of revival process started with the production of bamboo chips, with the release of Rs.100 crore on September 19, 2013 to HPC by the Ministry of Heavy Industries & public Enterprises, DHI.
He said state also provided its equity share amounting to Rs. 23 crore in two instalments (Rs. 12.00 cr in 2014-15 and Rs. 11.00 cr in 2015-16) and out of the Rs. 100 crore sanctioned for the NPPCL, Rs. 60 crore was diverted by the HPC, adding that the government of Nagaland had to infuse a loan of Rs 1.20 crore for payment of salaries to prevent serious law and order situation. He said that the payment of salaries and wages was pending since July, 2017.
On a query on steps taken for diversion of funds by HPCL, which was meant for revival of the paper mill, Rio replied that “in connection to the diversion of fund by HPC and revival and rehabilitation of NPPC, numerous letters have been issued by the chief minister of Nagaland to the Government of India”.
Rs. 1750 lakh sanctioned for BADP: State chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, disclosed that the Centre has sectioned Rs. 1750 lakh under Border Area Development Project (BDAP).
Replying to a starred question raised by CL John, MLA, on the total amount against each border district, Rio said the total amount against each border district was – Mon Rs. 932.50 lakh, Tuensang Rs. 125 lakh, Kiphire Rs. 120 lakh, Phek Rs. 95.00 lakh. Rio said the total amount against each border block was – Phomching Rs. 50 lakh, Chen Rs: 50, Mon Sadar Rs. 25 lakh, Aboi Rs. 110 lakh, Angjangang Rs. 55 lakh, Tobu Rs. 642.50 lakh, Noklak: Rs. 55 lakh, Thonoknyu: Rs. 70 lakh, Pungro Rs. 35 lakh, Khongsa Rs. 85 lakh, Meluri Rs. 21 lakh and Waziho Rs. 74 lakh. The programme involved with all block in nature was Rs. 447.50 lakh, Rio added.
25 PHCs without MO: Minister of health and family welfare (H&FW), S Pangnyu Phom, informed that there were 25 primary health centres (PHCs) in the state without medical officer (MO) till now. He disclosed this while replying to an unstarred questions by Y Vikheho Swu, MLA. H&FW minister also said there were a total number of 137 PHCs in the state.
No Central relief so far: Chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday said the Centre had not provided any fund to the State government so far in the backdrop of recent natural calamity that had devastated the State, even as public contribution towards Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) was Rs 4,69,24,536.83 Replying to an unstarred question by opposition member Muthingnyuba Sangtam on utilisation of CMRF, Rio said the amount received as contribution from individuals and NGOs were being used in providing relief and rehabilitation and as ex-gratia to affected families, besides meeting the critical gaps not covered under National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
On details of 4,000 people affected by the natural calamity as sought by the MLA, Rio said the detailed list of affected persons was under compilation by respective districts and a consolidated final list was yet to be received.
The chief minister, however, clarified that the number of affected people was more than 4000 since the entire Kiphire district and several administrative sub-divisions in all the districts had been severely affected.
To another query on utilization of Rs 65.26 crore under NDRF 2018-19, Rio said no fund had been received under NDRF for 2018-19.
Rs 53.75 cr received during 2017-18 against SPA: Stating that Rs 53.75 crore was received in 2017-18, planning minister Neiba Kronu added the amount was released as backlog under Special Plan Assistance (SPA) on July 27 this year.
He was responding to opposition legislator BS Nganlang’s starred question on the amount released by the Centre against the SPA backlog of Rs 836 crore in 2018-19.
Kronu said no fund had been released by the Centre during 2018-19.