Poverty of skilled and unskilled work force obstructing efficacy of ILP:Zeliang

Principal Correspondent
KOHIMA, AUGUST 28

NAGALAND Chief Minister TR Zeliang today maintained that unless Nagas are able to take up all forms of construction works in the State, it will be difficult for ’strict implementation’ of the Inner Line Permit.
Zeliang said in the current circumstances the construction sector offers the maximum potential for employment, both for skilled and unskilled workers. The Chief Minister’s address during the inaugural function of Dophin Club Building-cum-Artefact Centre at Lower L. Khel Kohima Village this morning was read out by Minister for Social Welfare KiyaniliePeseyie. Though Zeliang unveiled the plaque of the Club Building, he was unable to address the gathering due to a soar throat.
He said the wages are even better than other wage employment available in rural areas, such as NREGA. So, he said, there is no logical reason, why the Naga workers should shy away from modern construction works.
“We are always talking about the need for stricter implementation of ILP to prevent outsiders swamping the state. But unless we are also prepared to take over the construction works, it is difficult o do without these outsiders, many of whom may be even illegal immigrants from Bangladesh,” he said.
Expressing that self-sufficiency should be our goal, particularly in construction industry, he called upon the people to “let us try o rediscover the dignity of labour, and practice the virtue of hard work. Then, he said, Nagas will be second to none, and we can hold our head high.
Zeliang expressed happiness over the Club’s idea of making an Artefact Centre for collection and preservation of various traditional items, created and manufactured by our forefathers,as theseartefacts may gradually disappear from our homes; and the new generation of Nagas may not even be aware of it.
He said these artefacts should also be preserved to give the people a sense of pride and inspiration; because all these items will demonstrate the ingenuity and great skill of the Nagas.
The CM also maintained that the present generation Nagas has a lot to learn from the forefathers, who were ingenious, skillful, and above all extremely hardworking. “If our forefathers without any schooling, or formal education, could exhibit these good qualities, the present generation of the Naga, who are educated, and also have all the advantage of latest modern gadgets an technology, including computers etc, should be able to do much better, and be able to compete with the best in the world.
He also said that the artefacts should also remind the Naga people that the present generation of Nagas, could also be creative and productive; and that Naga should not continue to be a net consumer state, importing most of the requirements, while exporting hardly anything in return.
Lamenting that most of the modern construction works in Nagaland, be it roads, bridges and buildings, including our Church buildings, are being done by outsiders and non-Nagas, he said “this is not a happy state of affairs, and we should not continue in this fashion..
A galaxy of ministers and parliamentary secretarys, the Deputy Commissio and Superintendent of Police Kohima accompanied the Chief Minister.
Chaired by Ex-president Dolphin Club Dr. KethukietuoDzüvichü invocation was pronounced by the Deacon of Khedi Baptist Church KekuolhouthieDzüvichü while a welcome address was delivered by Club President KethosiuoMepfhüo.