A joint memorandum signed by Kohima Chambers of Commerce and Industry general secretary Kekhrienuo Meyase, Mokokchung Chambers of Commerce and Industry president Tsukti Longkumer, chairman Zynorique Richard Belho, chair governing council Youthnet Hekani Jakhalu and coordinator (CEO) Entrepreneurs Associates Neichute Doulo was submitted to the 15th Finance Commission Wednesday.
Pointing out that since its inception in 1963 Nagaland had been identified with insurgency, the memorandum explained that as the State’s remote location and unique tribal land holding system ensured that there was virtually no industry, the government had become the sole employer.
Thus while 1,50,000 people were employed in the government, there was a growing population of 90,000 educated unemployed. In this regard, the memorandum said it was imperative to promote entrepreneurship urgently for job creation and improve revenue generation.
The signatories earnestly appealed to FC to help the State with a onetime provision of an innovative seed capital of Rs 500 crore customised to provide soft loans to local entrepreneurs. The memorandum explained that this seed capital would generate meaningful jobs to at least 25,000 youth in the State within five years and could focus on funding micro enterprises for maximum job generation. It also stated that there were 7.1 lakh youth in the age group of 10-24 years, indicating that there would be four lakh educated youth in the next 10 years. The trade bodies further urged the commission to favourably fund the State with vocational training institutions, developing indigenous skill curriculum and capacity building activities and establishment of traditional skill resource centre in all districts and funds for research and development.
They also appealed to the commission to provide innovative funds like seed capital to enable Nagaland become an asset to the nation, adding that developing entrepreneurship, human capital and key infrastructures would unveil a new Nagaland. BJP memo: Meanwhile, another joint memorandum was submitted by political parties to the 15th FC. It was signed by State BJP president Temjen Imna Along, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee president K Therie, State JD (U) general secretary Kitoho S Rotokha, State LJP president NL Nelson, State NCP president Van Odyuo, NDPP president Chingwang Konyak, NPF president Dr Shurhozelie and NPP president Ato Yepthomi.
The memorandum explained that Nagaland was created out of a political necessity and on the basis of a solemn agreement – the 16-point Agreement – signed between Government of India (GoI) and people of Nagaland to end a violet turmoil in which thousands had lost their lives.
It mentioned that even at the time of its creation, it was an admitted fact that the State would not be economically viable and therefore a special point no. 11 was included in the 16-point Agreement. However, GoI seemed to have forgotten the agreement and categorised Nagaland under “special category States” along with Jammu & Kashmir and Assam, it added. The memorandum regretted even after over 70 years of the country’s Independence, no national institute or any other institution national in nature had been set up in Nagaland despite repeated pleas to the Centre in this regard. Only Rs 26,781 crore had been spent as Plan outlay in Nagaland since its inception 55 years ago, the memorandum stated.
A State like Nagaland, in order to catch up with rest of the country, needed to develop at twice or thrice the present speed as other parts of the country were also continuing to grow, the parties stressed.
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