NDPP releases manifesto for Nagaland Assembly election 2023; promises big

The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) on Saturday released its manifesto for the upcoming Nagaland Assembly election, providing a glimpse of its vision and development roadmap for the state.

With “Peace for development and development for peace” as its agenda under the slogan “Nagaland – Towards a State of Excellence!”, the NDPP declared its commitment to strive for inclusive growth by aggressively implementing visionary policies in various sectors.

On its political stand, the party said it is firm on its opinion for an honourable, acceptable, and inclusive settlement of the Indo-Naga issue at the earliest through negotiation. While assuring to play a proactive role as a facilitator and do everything possible to strengthen the ongoing peace process, it said that it is committed not to come in the way of any agreement but pave the way for an alternative arrangement.

The party also assured a stable government and decisive leadership under Neiphiu Rio, the longest serving Chief Minister of the state who had introduced several visionary policies including departments for underdeveloped areas (DUDA), Women Development and Tribal Affairs; TaFMA and special sports policy, among others.

Asserting the dire need of good governance, especially in transparency and accountability, the NDPP stated that besides the Nagaland Lokayukta, which has been set up to check corruption, a committee will be constituted to examine the award of tenders and review tenders that have been allocated and government undertakings that have been leased.

It also assured strict monitoring of all projects via PFMS and inspections; display names of contractors and monitoring engineers of all projects; Zero Tolerance Policy for fighting corruption and nepotism; all MLAs to declare assets and sources of income, including those of their spouses and dependents; launch of scheme for addressing public grievances; and cover NLA proceedings using information technology.

On connectivity, it stated that besides road, rail and air, public transportation in the state will be upgraded with a new fleet of buses including special luxury bus services between commercial hubs, and to introduce modern facilities with emphasis on passenger’s safety.

While reiterating its anti-VIP culture stand by not allowing government functionaries to use symbols like designation plates, it assured to put major urban centers under better security surveillance.

The NDPP manifesto also touched upon various sectors, including healthcare, rural development and welfare, agri and allied; it and telecommunications; protection of heritage; education and students welfare; veterinary and animal husbandry; industries and commerce; tourism; inclusion and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities; sports; and empowering the fourth estate (media).

For eastern Nagaland

While supporting the proposal for an autonomous status for eastern districts while upholding the need to keep Nagaland united, the NDPP has formulated an elaborate development plan for the region even as the decision of the Government of India on ENPO’s demand is awaited.

The party’s development plan for eastern areas include establishment of Mini-Secretariat; upgrading International Trade Centers and educational institutions infrastructure, special cell in Development department, coaching centre for civil services exam, introduce tourism circuit, expand banking series, meritorious awards scheme for various fields, and strictly follow reservation policy.

Read: Nagaland Election 2023: NDPP distributes tickets, launches campaign

Implementation of manifesto

To ensure that this manifesto is not just a political gimmick for electoral purposes, the NDPP said a high-powered body will be set to monitor its implementation in a periodical manner. It added that the government will set clear objectives for the first month after formation and the 100 days targets will be made public, besides periodically reviewing the performance of ministers and the administration.

Salient features of NDPP manifesto

* Continue to push for early resolution of the Indo-Naga political issue.

* Pave the way for any arrangement in the solution to Naga issue.

* Provide decisive leadership with the vision of taking Nagaland into a new dimension.

* Ensure that its roadmap for Nagaland is along the policies of the SDGs.

* Follow five principles approach of responsibility, accountability, awareness, impartiality, and transparency for good governance.

* Continue to put concerted efforts into improving road connectivity in the entire state by ensuring quality.

* Relentlessly pursue foothill railway line from Khelma to Tizit.

* Focus on development and promotion of non-conventional/alternate and renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind, bio-energy and vortex turbines for power generation.

* Take Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) to every corner of the state.

* Establishment of a Super Specialty Hospital with special emphasis on cancer treatment.

* Strictly monitor and implement all national flagship programmes through strict compliance with Direct to Beneficiary system.

Highlights from the launch of Manifesto for the NLA Elections 2023.
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Peace and Development for all sections of society.
NAGALAND- TOWARDS A STATE OF EXCELLENCE
.#ndpp #towardsexcellence #ndpp2023 #NagalandTowardsAStateOfExcellence pic.twitter.com/yIXsd9bFq1

— NDPP (@NDPPofficial) February 18, 2023

* Actively pursue Organic Farming Policy with a vision to turn Nagaland into organic hub of India and to preserve indigenous seeds.

* All government departments and public sector organisations will compulsorily have websites and portals for easy excess, transparency and connection with the masses.

* Digitalisation of government agencies to be done for effective administration and preservation of records.

* The Register for Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) will be implemented in letter and spirit.

* Recruitment under the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) will be implemented in a transparent and fair manner and shall be based entirely on merit. No nepotism or favoritism will be tolerated.

*An innovative merit-based youth employment scheme will be launched.

* The Chief Minister’s Scholarship for Music & Arts will be further expanded and increased.

* Pilot projects for E-Smart Classrooms will be introduced and extended throughout the state.

(Dimapur, EMN)