CNTC demands Nagaland government to recall PMJVK scheme for recasting

Dimapur, Aug. 10 (EMN): The Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has demanded the state government to immediately recall the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) schemes 2022-2023 that had already been submitted to the Central government, for recasting the allocation in the state.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, the CNTC warned that it will be compelled to go for a mass agitation if their demand isn’t addressed.

Reiterating its dismay over the allocation of the schemes, it said the first notification on the PMJVK scheme had only four districts — Dimapur, Kohima, Chumoukedima and Niuland — before the government issued another notification later for district-wise submission of the scheme under additional fund following its press statement.

It went on to term the notification for the remaining 13 districts ‘as a mockery and an afterthought action of the CM as the documents of the four districts which have been allocated PMJVK schemes have already reached Delhi’.

“Since the last date of submission of proposal to the centre was August 6, 2022, the CNTC was of the view that it was practically impossible to prepare the scheme within a short period of time as it needed the approval of Block Level Committee (BLC) and district level Committee as required under Para 2.1.1 of PMJVK guidelines,” read the press release.

The council also asked how the 13 districts will get the funds when it has been finalised, and why CNTC and ENPO “have always been ignored in all development fronts”.

It went on to clarify that “it was not against any tribe or community or against development activities taking place in the state but was fighting for what was their due share and that funds should be equally distributed district wise”.

It may be recalled that the Minority Affairs Cell, Planning and Coordination Department, had earlier issued a clarification with regard to the proposals submitted to the Centre under the PMJVK 2023, stating that the scheme was limited to the block of Niuland in Nagaland but the Government of India had agreed to extend it to the entire State following the state government’s request and personal intervention of the chief minister.

It said the deputy commissioners had been requested to submit projects for their respective districts for inclusion in the 5 years perspective plan 2022-26, which some have submitted their inputs. While maintaining the plan submitted to the Centre on PMJVK web portal is only a compiled list of the proposals, it said the projects can be taken up over a five-year period and the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs will decide on selection and approval.