Nagaland Election 2023: JD (U) Nagaland releases manifesto

Janata Dal (United) Nagaland released its manifesto for the ensuing state general election at JD (U) Nagaland headquarters, Wokha town on February 15.

The party has prioritised education, rural development, youth and employment, influx of foreigners, road development, health sector, repealing Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) and supporting an honourable solution to the Indo-Naga political issue in its ‘Focus 2023’manifesto.

Education

In the field of education, JD (U) has committed to take up infrastructural development of all government schools, both existing and new; establishing colleges in all ADC HQ and higher secondary schools in all SDO (C) HQ; granting special scholarships to students excelling in mathematics at school, college and university levels; launching insurance schemes for students studying outside the state for acute sickness and for transportation of dead bodies; and constitution of Education Commission for review of existing education policies, an update on Thursday stated.

Rural development

In rural development, it would work towards making villages self-reliant through decentralisation of powers and policies of the government at the village level; promoting backyard farming; encouraging and assisting SHGs and also providing aids in forming more such groups wherever necessary; organising programmes for talent hunt and promoting distinguished children from the villages; providing reasonable insurance cover to all people living below poverty line.

Youth and employment

It said it would ensure fair means in availing job opportunities by curbing irregularities in the process of appointments; establishing small and medium industries and thereby creating jobs for unemployed youth; providing special financial assistance for setting up small business establishments; strengthening the existing industrial training institutes and creation of state-of-the-art skill development centres; constituting Staff Selection Board (SSB) in line with the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for conducting of examinations to the vacant posts that do not fall within the purview of the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC); establishment of full-fledged Police Recruitment Board (PRB) for recruitment; and business establishments owned, managed and controlled illegally by non-Nagas would be curbed and such opportunities made available to capable Naga youth.

On influx of foreigners, it would ensure that the inherent problem of illegal foreigners, especially from Bangladesh, is curbed and suppressed by judiciously implementing the provisions of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) 1873 in toto and other such relevant acts.

The Inner Line Regulation which is in force since 1873 would be reviewed and necessary provisions added in the interest of the people of Nagaland.

Road development

It would lay special emphasis for efficient maintenance of existing roads and also take up construction of new roads wherever necessary. The funds which are allotted for road development would be utilised judiciously without any pilferage.

Capable local contractors would be given preference by relaxing the qualifying norms for such works where they are not qualified without compromising efficiency of work quality.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways would be persuaded to make provisions for local contractors for works undertaken by their agencies in the state.

Health

In the health sector, it would ensure that all programmes directed for the benefits of the common people are made available and reaches the concerned people. All medical personnel and doctors would be made to compulsorily stay in their places of posting, especially, in the rural areas on rotation basis so that people living in the rural areas do not suffer for want of timely medical attention.

It would also ensure financial assistance for setting up of affordable private nursing health centres in all district headquarters.

AFSPA, Naga political issue

JDU also pledged to repeal AFSPA, which it said had become a ‘tool of state abuse, oppression, and discrimination and has led to human rights violation in the Northeastern states especially in Nagaland’.

On the Indo-Naga political issue, JD (U) said it would always honour the footsteps of its founding father Jayaprakash Narayan and his love for the Naga people, by continuing to support an honourable solution at the earliest.

Meanwhile, releasing the manifesto, president of JD (U), Nagaland, Senchumo (NSN) Lotha, who is also contesting the election from 37 Tyui Assembly Constituency under Wokha district, further appealed to vote for JD (U) as a vote for the party was “a vote to fulfill the aspirations of people of Nagaland for a developed state”.

Also read: Pre-poll violence: 8 cases registered, 24 arrested so far

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