Kohima | March 25 : Giving the concluding remarks on discussions on Motion of Thanks on the Governor’s Address, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today acknowledged the active participation of the opposition Congress for their ‘contribution in giving many valuable suggestions and advices during the discussion.’ Rio informed that the government has noted their feedback and will address them accordingly to perform better in running the affairs of the state.
Rio said the formation of Joint Legislators Forum represented by 60 members of the House is to send message to the Naga people as far as Naga political issue is concerned that “we are together” and stressed on the need to strengthen and cooperate with one another and to work for our common cause.
Rio said that as the Naga political issue is more than six decades old and the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government is playing the role of a ‘facilitator’ to find a peaceful solution to the issue.
Rio said successive government has come and gone but there has not been solution to the decades old problem.
On the demand for “frontier Nagaland”, Rio said there are some genuine problems compiled over the years because of which the ENPO has gone to this extent.
Rio said that the government is aware of their ‘feelings’. On allegation that he refused to meet ENPO officials, Rio termed it as misleading. Rio said he never refused ENPO office bearers meeting him
He said the cabinet has constituted a committee to study the grievances and the shortcomings the government may have committed.
Rio also said that the chief secretary has written to the ENPO to meet the government anytime at their convenience. He also agreed to the idea of former chief minister KL Chishi requesting sufficient time for discussion on the ENPO issue. Rio said it may be done in some other sessions. “We are trying to throw blames on each other; let us collective work towards bringing this backward areas at par with the rest of the State,” he appealed to the members of the House.
Further on the budgetary provisions for the people of “eastern Nagaland”, he said may be not enough was done for their districts. But, he highlighted that in last year’s budget 18.58% was for the four districts of Eastern Nagaland, besides the common projects for the entire State. “I feel injustice is not done,” he said while expressing that the DAN Government can do better. He also asserted that DAN is committed to doo all possible for the development of these areas.
On the reservation policy, he said that restoration of 25% for the six tribes of the four districts was because they constitute 33% of the population as per 2001 Census. The government intends to thoroughly review the existing reservation policy which will include identifying and removing the ‘creamy layers’ from the backward class reservation after the figures of Census 2011 are available, he said. He expressed confidence that Census 2011 will be much more accurate than the previous ones.
Regarding the inclusion of NGO representatives in the District Planning and Development Board, the Chief Minister said that in the planning process, grassroots level should be involved. This would enable the decision-making bodies to understand the problems faced by the people from the grassroots level.
Expressing gratitude to the Government of India for approving the proposal of the state government to enhance the monthly honorarium of the Village Guards from 500 to 1500 rupees, the chief minister said that the State Government is looking into the welfare of the Village Guards like providing uniforms, duty allowances and constructing barracks. He also said that the Government is trying its best to provide weapons to all the Village Guards.
Agreeing to the concern expressed by the opposition members about the problem of water supply in Kohima, Rio stated that the government trying it best to address such area. He also requested the ‘Naga people living mostly on the hill top to come down and settle, otherwise people will face water problem in future also.’
Regarding the case of ‘single teacher’ and some school falling under “nil teacher” category, Rio said that the government has created 3000 post of teachers in the state. He also informed that the state was given an opportunity to open 324 new primary schools on the condition of meeting the required enrolment and pass percentage.
On allegation of selling of posts raised by opposition member, Rio said, “This is a very serious issue. If any body is found, please report” adding that the government will take action and assured that the government will not spare be it officers, government servants in this.
Rio was appreciative of the GoI for generous grant towards implementation of 6th ROP in the state. He justified that the state financial position is very good and it would not face embargo.
Rio also informed that about 3900 government employees retired where around 1000 employees had drawn pension benefit.
On opposition raising issue regarding four lane project between Kohima and Dimapur, Rio said the government could not carry out due to landowners issue and the same with the railway project to Kohima also. In this, Rio said if people claims land compensation then no development is possible. On the other hand Rio said the properties destroyed out of such project should be compensated.
“Let us try to educate our people and make everyone understand,” he said.
On some opposition members raising issue of Mahila IRB about the condition of inconveniently holding SLR and suggested for provision of either AK 47 or.5.56 INSAS rifles to them, Rio told the House that the government was hopeful of allotting them good weapon.
Rio said the formation of Joint Legislators Forum represented by 60 members of the House is to send message to the Naga people as far as Naga political issue is concerned that “we are together” and stressed on the need to strengthen and cooperate with one another and to work for our common cause.
Rio said that as the Naga political issue is more than six decades old and the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government is playing the role of a ‘facilitator’ to find a peaceful solution to the issue.
Rio said successive government has come and gone but there has not been solution to the decades old problem.
On the demand for “frontier Nagaland”, Rio said there are some genuine problems compiled over the years because of which the ENPO has gone to this extent.
Rio said that the government is aware of their ‘feelings’. On allegation that he refused to meet ENPO officials, Rio termed it as misleading. Rio said he never refused ENPO office bearers meeting him
He said the cabinet has constituted a committee to study the grievances and the shortcomings the government may have committed.
Rio also said that the chief secretary has written to the ENPO to meet the government anytime at their convenience. He also agreed to the idea of former chief minister KL Chishi requesting sufficient time for discussion on the ENPO issue. Rio said it may be done in some other sessions. “We are trying to throw blames on each other; let us collective work towards bringing this backward areas at par with the rest of the State,” he appealed to the members of the House.
Further on the budgetary provisions for the people of “eastern Nagaland”, he said may be not enough was done for their districts. But, he highlighted that in last year’s budget 18.58% was for the four districts of Eastern Nagaland, besides the common projects for the entire State. “I feel injustice is not done,” he said while expressing that the DAN Government can do better. He also asserted that DAN is committed to doo all possible for the development of these areas.
On the reservation policy, he said that restoration of 25% for the six tribes of the four districts was because they constitute 33% of the population as per 2001 Census. The government intends to thoroughly review the existing reservation policy which will include identifying and removing the ‘creamy layers’ from the backward class reservation after the figures of Census 2011 are available, he said. He expressed confidence that Census 2011 will be much more accurate than the previous ones.
Regarding the inclusion of NGO representatives in the District Planning and Development Board, the Chief Minister said that in the planning process, grassroots level should be involved. This would enable the decision-making bodies to understand the problems faced by the people from the grassroots level.
Expressing gratitude to the Government of India for approving the proposal of the state government to enhance the monthly honorarium of the Village Guards from 500 to 1500 rupees, the chief minister said that the State Government is looking into the welfare of the Village Guards like providing uniforms, duty allowances and constructing barracks. He also said that the Government is trying its best to provide weapons to all the Village Guards.
Agreeing to the concern expressed by the opposition members about the problem of water supply in Kohima, Rio stated that the government trying it best to address such area. He also requested the ‘Naga people living mostly on the hill top to come down and settle, otherwise people will face water problem in future also.’
Regarding the case of ‘single teacher’ and some school falling under “nil teacher” category, Rio said that the government has created 3000 post of teachers in the state. He also informed that the state was given an opportunity to open 324 new primary schools on the condition of meeting the required enrolment and pass percentage.
On allegation of selling of posts raised by opposition member, Rio said, “This is a very serious issue. If any body is found, please report” adding that the government will take action and assured that the government will not spare be it officers, government servants in this.
Rio was appreciative of the GoI for generous grant towards implementation of 6th ROP in the state. He justified that the state financial position is very good and it would not face embargo.
Rio also informed that about 3900 government employees retired where around 1000 employees had drawn pension benefit.
On opposition raising issue regarding four lane project between Kohima and Dimapur, Rio said the government could not carry out due to landowners issue and the same with the railway project to Kohima also. In this, Rio said if people claims land compensation then no development is possible. On the other hand Rio said the properties destroyed out of such project should be compensated.
“Let us try to educate our people and make everyone understand,” he said.
On some opposition members raising issue of Mahila IRB about the condition of inconveniently holding SLR and suggested for provision of either AK 47 or.5.56 INSAS rifles to them, Rio told the House that the government was hopeful of allotting them good weapon.
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