State governments not supposed to pack money but execute: NEC

Staff Reporter
Dimapur, February 17

Nagaland received funding of Rs 117 crore for the year 2013-2014 and Rs 107 crore for 2014-2015 from North Eastern Council (NEC), according to NEC Secretary Ameising Luikham and NEC Adviser (Transport & Communication) P.K.H.Singh. The NEC officials further said the funds are for development plans which are centrally financed on the basis of 90% grant and 10% loan.
The NEC officials then said the Northeast state governments failed to execute the released money effectively and also failed to return the 10% loan. “The state governments are not supposed to pack the money but to execute it,” the NEC officials stated.
Regarding the road projects, the NEC officials who are on a five-day visit to Nagaland informed that with their visit to Mokokchung, Kohima and Dimapur districts, NEC have taken up some projects in the three districts. In Mokokchung district, the project for Longsa-Aghunato road received a grant of Rs. 158 crore where Rs. 60 crore has already been released, the official disclosed. The proposed road construction is projected to cover 88 km, 7.5 meter width and 5.5 pavement of black topping while 50 km of road formation cutting has been completed. NEC officials informed that the project should be completed by March, 2017.
Regarding the Kohima-Viswema-Kedima-Zuketsa road project Rs. 70 crore out of Rs 78 crore has been released. The work will be completed in two months’ time, said the officials.
Coming to health projects, the NEC officials after visiting Impur Christian Hospital (ICH) and Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital, have assured to fund for the upgradation of ICH hospital building, OPD section, rooms for patients which will take a year and half to complete. The two-storey district hospital of Mokokchung is set to be upgraded with ICU, OPD and biometric within a year and a half. With requirement for equipments at Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital, the NEC officials have asked the Mokokchung Deputy Commissioner, the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Secretary to examine and send a proposal to the Planning department so that the same can be forwarded to NEC.
In Kohima, the NEC officials accompanied by the state Additional Chief Secretary visited the Naga Hospital. They asked the state government to examine the condition of the hospital and send a proposal through the Planning department for developing the hospital.
On the education sector, NEC received a proposal to fund for the construction of a hall at the Mayangnokcha Government Higher Secondary School, Mokokchung which will accommodate about 2000 people. Besides this, the NEC was also proposed for the setting up of one library, one science lab and the construction of the fencing wall of the school. The principal of the school has requested the NEC officials to upgrade the school with hostels for the students of rural areas.
The NEC officials then disclosed that the second instalment of (out of Rs 49 crore) fund for North East Regional Paramedical Institute at CIHSR, Dimapur (Rs 20 crore) has already been released. Once completed, the institute will increase the number of nurses, paramedics.
The officials then said the Indian Institute of Hotel Management in Dimapur which is the project of Tourism Ministry, is all set to be completed by this year.
Meanwhile, with the aim to convert Dr. T. Ao Football Tournament into league, the NEC requests the state government of Nagaland to work out on a proposal for upgrading the Indira Gandhi Stadium with essential amenities so that the state can be the host for the North East event. While emphasizing on its plan, the NEC officials updated that the 100-meter roofing of Indira Gandhi Stadium will be funded in the next financial year.
Concerns on the migration of Northeast students to metropolitan cities in search of better education, the NEC is focusing on the quality of education and working on prospective plans in the region with support from state governments.
The officials also emphasized on the need of Inter State Truck Terminal (ISTT) as every state depends on goods transport. In this connection they said the state government should visualize ensuring security and safe movement of transports.
The NEC is also said to be facilitating the villagers with common facility centre with supply of various machineries for the execution of their work.
The NEC officials then urged the State government to draft guideless for improving the funding process of NEC.