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Dimapur, Aug. 31 (EMN): Highlighting the focus of the state government on self-reliance, re-skilling and employment avenues and generation in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic, deputy chief minister, Y Patton urged the government at the centre to help the state get the projects sanctioned early.
Patton said this during a virtual conference along with the chief secretary, J Alam, at Nagaland House in New Delhi, organised by DoNER in regard to issues relating to Agri and allied sectors with all the chief ministers of North Eastern states in attendance on Tuesday. Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, could not attend due to prior engagement, stated an update from the deputy chief minister’s office.
Patton reminded that the state government has submitted an economic road map of 23 projects amounting to INR. 83 crore out of which 12 projects with an amount of INR 31 crore had been approved by NEC. He stated that a project proposal to the Agriculture Ministry for Naga model integrated settled farming for INR 68 crore is awaiting approval.
He added that another important proposal for external funding under the nomenclature of ELEMENT (Enhancing Landscape and Ecosystem Management) project for a total project cost of INR 646 crore has been approved by DEA. Patton informed that the project has been prepared in consultation with all stakeholders including renowned NGOs like Tata Trust.
In this regard, Patton urged the government at the centre to help the state get those projects sanctioned at an early date.
Patton also thanked the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, for giving attention to the problems of the North East and also congratulated the DoNER Minister, Kishen Reddy, for taking initiative in organising the meeting at an appropriate time.
Patton informed that the revolutionary transformation of road, railways and air connectivity and infrastructural developments in the region, economic integration through tax reforms, digital and IT programs, the Act East policy and the Agri and allied sector in NER is going through a great makeover although its potentially was yet to be fully explored and realised.
He thanked the concerned ministry for taking up the issues. Other issues raised by the deputy chief minister included Optimum utilisation of 10% Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) resources of the department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, GOI; Action plan for development of oil palm in Nagaland; State specific holistic bamboo development plan; State specific holistic horticulture development plan; Development of organic cultivation in Nagaland; Setting up of infrastructure, value added etc.