Nagaland earmarks 100 acres of land for IT institute in Tuli

We should stop farming in WhatsApp and go back to the land, says Imnatiba

Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, Oct. 2 (EMN): Director of Industries and Commerce, K Hokishi Assumi announced that the department has earmarked 100 acres of land for setting up an IT institute in Tuli area — sanctioned under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), government of India — during a visit to the NPPCL site under Tuli ADC Hq. on October 1.

The 100 acres of land for setting up the IT institute has been earmarked in the existing land meant for NPPCL.

Advisor Imnatiba also directed his officers to start GIS/Google mapping for the required land during the site visit to NPPCL.

On this, Kekhrievor Kevichusa, commissioner and secretary of Industries and Commerce, said that the technical team would be sent by the end of October to conduct the mapping.

Kevichusa also informed that the infrastructure development of the IT institute will commence from this financial year itself. 

Assumi informed that the IT institute will come with a post office and police station.

During an interaction session, Assumi said that the food processing cluster at Liroyim under Changtongya circle was sanctioned by the Ministry of MSME in March 2020; however, due to the pandemic-induced lockdown, the infrastructure development could not be initiated.

He also informed that a 16-month period has been given to complete the infrastructure and the department will start the construction works by November.

The total estimated cost of the food processing cluster is INR 839.59 in lakh, out of which the Central government’s aid share is INR 671. 67 lakh; Nagaland government’s aid share is INR 83.96 lakh; and special purpose vehicle (SPV) Changtongya circle’s base contribution is INR 83.96 lakh.

Advisor Imnatiba also informed that the food processing cluster is the first of its kind in Nagaland and a ‘collective effort is needed for the successful implementation of the scheme’.

He added that for successful implementation, a district-level food processing committee headed by deputy commissioners has been set up.

‘Under this project, collection of raw materials from farmers and SHGs food bank, and micro-level collection points will be set up to feed the production centre,’ he said. He expressed hope that it will not only benefit farmers and SHGs of Mokokchung but also the neighbouring districts as well since bulk raw materials will be needed. 

Further, he maintained that Nagaland has been projecting that the 71% of the state is dependent on Agri and allied sectors. ‘However, when the pandemic struck and we looked back to the fields, it was empty and it exposed that we are a consumer society,’ he said.

In this connection, he said the Agri and allied sectors need to be organised and ‘we should stop farming in WhatsApp and go back to the land’.