KOHIMA, AUGUST 15 : The chief minister of Nagaland TR Zeliang today urged upon all the Naga underground groups to come together and support the negotiation between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM).
Speaking at the 70th Independence Day celebration at Nagaland Secretariat Plaza, Kohima, the chief minister, while mentioning the demise of late Isak Swu, said it would be a ‘befitting tribute to late Isak Swu if the political groups join hands to press for an early settlement.’
Following the signing of the “framework agreement” on August 3, 2015, Zeliang said that an early political settlement was ‘in the offing’ which he claimed was ‘in the interest of one and all.’
Stating that “time waits for none,” Zeliang again appealed to the NSCN (K) to ‘eschew the path of violence and return to the ceasefire agreement.’
Apart from the political issue, Zeliang, addressing a mammoth gathering, expressed his delight that Nagaland has had several significant achievements in some developmental and welfare sectors during the past few years.
“The people of Nagaland, along with the rest of the country, are marching on the path of development, and making every endeavor to achieve the lofty goals that we have set for ourselves,” he claimed.
On roads, the chief minister said that the Government of India has the commitment to improve the infrastructure facilities in the north east region. It has ‘boosted the prospects of construction and improvement of national highways in the state,’ he claimed.
With the recent ‘in-principle’ declaration of five roads as National Highways, he informed that the total length of NH in the State will increase to 2,271 km, out of which 1,974 km are under the State Public Works Department. This, he said, has ensured that all the district headquarters in the State will be connected by National Highways.
“In the annual plan 2016-2017, two-laning (sic) of NH-2 from Botsa to Wokha (via Tseminyu) for 32.4 km, improvement of city portion of Dimapur and Kohima, totaling 28 km, and two-laning (sic) of NH-2 from Wokha to Nagaland Gate via Mokokchung and Tuli are included in the works programme,” he informed.
The chief minister also announced that the Nagaland Cabinet had recently approved setting up of nine town councils one each for East Dimapur, Mangkolemba, Longkhim, Bhandari, Tobu, Tizit, Tening, Pungro and Chozuba and five urban station committees at Chessore, Yisemyong, Tzudikong, Chuchuyimlang Town and Athibung, further informing that the Nagaland Cabinet had also decided to conduct elections to the urban local bodies according to the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001.
Mention be made that the Municipal Affairs Department had increased the number of Urban Local Bodies from 19 to 23, with the recent inauguration of Aboi, Meuri, Noklak nd Shamator Town councils.
For the medical college in Kohima, the CM informed that land compensation amounting to Rs. 17.54 crores for 40 acres of land had been released. On health sector, he further informed that a new 30 bedded integrated AYUSH Hospital is coming up in Noklak Community Health Centre.
On law and order, Zeliang shared his concern to maintain friendly relation with our neighbouring states. He particularly mentioned the areas adjoining Doldoli Reserved Forest along the Assam-Nagaland border.
“To maintain peace and tranquility in the disputed border areas of Assam and Nagaland, Border Peace Coordination Committees (BPCC) have been formed in all the districts bordering Assam, comprising of representatives from both the States of Assam and Nagaland, which is purely voluntary,” he said.
Zeliang also expressed happiness that the law and order situation in Tuensang and Kiphire is now returning to normalcy. On this note, he thanked the untiring efforts made by the civil society including ENPO, ENSF, ENWO, ENLU, churches and the mediators appointed by the government.
The CM also informed about the government’s decision to upgrade the Women’s Cell at Dimapur and Kohima to full-fledged Women Police Stations with the rest of the districts to follow shortly.
On education, the CM regarded it as the most important resource; while he went on to inform the comprehensive exercise of rationalization of government schools in the effort to streamline the education system and make it more efficient.
To deal effectively with the problems of bogus teachers, he said the department is insisting on Aadhar card numbers in the appointment orders of all the newly recruited teachers. While efforts are also on to enable issue of Aadhar cards for all the children enrolled in the government schools.
“Improvement in quality education in the State has to be our top most priority,” he said.
Stating that nearly 12,000 teachers or about 65% of government school teachers are not professionally trained, the CM informed that the SE department is taking up various initiatives to train all the untrained teachers.
“The acquisition of professional qualification by untrained teachers is now a condition to be eligible for promotion,” he said informing that the increment of pay of those who do not acquire the professional qualification would be stopped after five years.
Mentioning about the mandatory assessment and accreditation of higher education in conformity with the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and University Grants Commission (UGC) and the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), he also shared the expectation of the State’s department of higher education to make all the colleges be accredited under NAAC. As of now, out of the 63 colleges in Nagaland, only 14 colleges are NAAC accredited.
On sports, with the launching of “Khelo India” in April 2016 by the GoI, he said the department of Youth Resources & Sports is preparing to take up sports activities down to the block level. He informed that the Multi Disciplinary Outdoor stadium funded under NEC and Multi Purpose Indoor hall at Ne Peren district headquarters have been completed.
On agriculture and allied sector, the CM, while stating that Nagaland is primarily an agrarian sector, highlighted the aims of the concerned department to achieve a growth rate target of 6.50 % during the 12th Plan for food security, keeping in view the vision for achieving food for all and to ensure food security by 2015. The State achieved 6.14% growth in agriculture during the 11th Plan.
In the power sector, the CM informed that the construction of 1 MW Ponglefo Hydro Electric project, located at the upstream of Likimro in Kiphire district has commenced. He also informed that the 20 MVA sub-station at Sovima, Dimapur, had been completed, and will be commissioned soon.
“Under the department of New & Renewable Energy, 2X500 KW Tsutsung Small Hydro Project (SHP) at Longsa village under Mokokchung district and 150 KW (Stage-II) Noiroi SHP at Punglwa village under Peren district are expected to be commissioned during 2016-17,” he further informed.
In highlighting these achievements, the CM also urged everyone to renew their pledge to set aside differences and prejudices, and work single mindedly towards making Nagaland a peaceful, developed and prosperous State of this country.
Upon arrival, the chief minister also took salute and inspected the parade, while he also gave away the awards. On the day, Zeliang also flagged off the vehicles of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
The parade at Kohima was led by parade commander Alongla Sangtam, deputy commandant, 4th NAP, Thizama and K. Vekato Chishi, assistant commandant, 4th NAP.
The cultural presentation was participated by the Yachumaro Cultural Group, Kohima, Harmonic Voices, Nagaland, Nagaland Adolescent Girls Club and Angami Students’ Union.
The awardees will be receiving their awards on the occasion of Republic Day 2017. They awardees are:
1. NeivotuoKeyho, Art (sculptor).
2. Sandemo Ngullie, Art (cartoonist)
3. Abiogenesis (Band) (in music)
4. NikoloTsuzu (in literature)
5. MedoVizo (in literature)
6. T. Senka Ao (in literature)
