Members of Parliament Neiphiu Rio and Khekiho send proposals to Prime Minister

EMN
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 27

Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio and Rajya Sabha MP Khekiho Zhimomi have put up proposals to the Prime Minister on various fronts.
The two Parliamentarians from Nagaland also expressed their confidence that the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the State will be historic and will begin a new era for peace and development in the State. The two MPs then conveyed greetings and wishes to the Prime Minister that the people of the State are keenly awaiting for his visit to their State.
Neiphiu Rio and Khekiho Zhimomi in their joint message have said, “You are aware that Nagaland is the 16th State of the Indian Union and had celebrated its 50th year of Statehood in 2013. Despite five decades of statehood, Nagaland is a backward state with poor infrastructure and lack of facilities on several fronts and the State does not have any national or regional project worth the name. It is in this background that the people are looking forward to announcement of a Prime Minister’s package during your visit.”
The Parliamentarians then put up some proposals for the inclusion in the Prime Minister’s package in support of the State Government’s requests.
The first proposal has been to set up a medical college in Kohima. Both the MPs in the representation to the Prime Minister said that till date, Nagaland does not have a medical college and therefore the health facilities in the State have been poor. “We propose that the Centre take up this project as a fully funded national project,” the missive added.
The MPs also proposed the Prime Minister to have a Hindi Language Institute in Nagaland. “The State needs quality Hindi language teachers as the population, especially in the hilly belts are still not comfortable with Hindi. In this regard, the Government of India may consider establishment of a high quality Hindi Language Institute in Nagaland,” they stated.
Rio and Zhimomi then proposed to have a Youth Employment Package. In the missive both the MPs said, “You are aware that during the visit of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then PM had announced a youth employment package which made the State Government launch the Year of Youth Empowerment. You may kindly consider a youth employment package in order to overcome the unemployment challenges of the State and also to tap into the talents and capabilities of the youth of Nagaland.”
Regarding the connectivity Rio and Zhimomi said Nagaland is struggling with connectivity facilities especially in broadband services. “As you will understand, this has hampered all sections of society, especially good governance, entrepreneurship and enterprise, press and media, education, creativity and the services section particularly tourism. The Centre must take steps to improve internet connectivity, make broadband services available to the grass roots,” the MPs added.
Another proposal of the MPs to the Prime Minister is to set up a university/institute of skill development & capacity building in the state. Rio and Zhimomi pointed out that Nagaland still does not have a single national or regional educational or capacity building centre. A university of skill development and capacity building along with a section for the services sector, where the youth have been performing well will go a long way in creating opportunities and new vistas for the youth, both the MPs stated.
On the foothill road Neiphiu Rio and Khekiho reminded that there is a proposal of the State Government that plans to connect Nagaland with a four lane road that runs from the south of the State to the northern corner. It will run through the mineral belts of Nagaland and also connect to the Tran Arunachal Highway and the East-West Corridor while also being a feeder road for the Tuli Paper Mill. The economic impacts of developing this road are tremendous and will significantly improve physical connectivity while expanding the scope for the Nagaland Special Development Zones and possible smart cities in future. This project may be taken up as a national project, the representation also said.
On the train connectivity Rio and Zhimomi said there are only 8 kilometers of railway line in Nagaland and the State capital, Kohima is yet to have an airport or railway connectivity. The proposed railway line to Kohima must be expedited as a national project and can further be extended to Manipur into the international border, the missive of the MPs stated.
Coming to airport and air connectivity the MPs from Nagaland said the lone airport of the State located in Dimapur is serving the entire State and parts of the neighboring States as well. The scope for expansion of this airport is limited and the State government has proposed for construction of a new airport between Kohima and Dimapur. This proposal may be considered for construction of an international standard airport. The poor air connectivity in Nagaland has become a matter of serious concern for the whole State. At all levels we have taken up with the Government of India but there are still no marked improvements. Steps must be taken up to improve air connectivity and extend better facilities in this area, Rio and Zhimomi also said.
Regarding the ‘eastern Nagaland package’ both the MPs said the Centre had announced a special economic package for the eastern part of Nagaland, however the announcement is yet to materialise. This is the most backward region of the State and needs special focus and attention. In this connection we request that a special economic package for the eastern part of Nagaland be announced.
On the grant for salary shortfall the two MPs said the State is in urgent need of a special package for the shortfalls in salaries due to the normative approach undertaken by the 13th Finance Award which has adversely impacted the financial position of the State. A special grant to cover this urgent need will greatly ease the financial position of the State.
Rio and Zhimomi then expressed that the historic three day visit of the then Prime Minister of the country Atal Bihari Vajpayee is still fondly remembered by the Naga people. According to Neiphiu Rio and Khekiho Zhimomi the former Prime Minister won the hearts of the people with his genuine concern and love for the Nagas. He had announced an economic package to the tune of more than a thousand crores. He had made the historic statement at Kohima, where he said ‘India understands and respects the unique history of the Nagas’. Unfortunately his seriousness towards the peace process and his economic package could not be fully realised by subsequent governments at the Centre. Most significantly, his announcement of a four lane highway between Kohima and Dimapur and a thermal power plant in Dimapur remains unrealized till today, the MPs also said.
“We hope that you will take our suggestions in a positive manner and we look forward to welcoming you to Nagaland which we are confident will be historic and path breaking,” they added.