NE has much to contribute to India’s growth: CM Rio

September 19, 2023 28 Views No Comment

Calls for relaxing land laws & revisiting shelved NSDZ

Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 19

Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio said that the North-East has much to contribute to India’s growth. According to the CM, the country’s Act East Policy and the proximity to Southeast Asia makes the NE indispensable in shaping the future “of our nation and the larger region.”

“This entails not only focusing on export opportunities but also enhancing our capacity to become an attractive investment destination,” he said.

But he maintained that making it happen requires creating opportunities “for our people, especially our youth to not only succeed but also contribute towards the nation building process,” while a speaking at the ice-breaking session of the first Northeastern States Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Conclave at the Niathu Resort, Chümoukedima, on September 18.

The 3-day conclave, which has delegates from the chambers of commerce from the 8 NE states, seeks to build stronger business bond between the 8 states with the aim of converging the region into one mutually beneficial business engine.

Over and above paper presentations, Rio said that the conclave should look to forging alliances, complementing each other’s strengths, championing innovation and creating a roadmap for the future.

“Our goal should be to actively network and form collaborations that can be translated into actionable points,” he said, adding that the conclave would serve as a launch pad for a new era of prosperity in the region.

While stating that the formation of the Confederation of North East States Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CoNESCCI) marks the collective aspiration of the region, he said that the NE’s untapped potential, including the sustainable utilization of the mineral wealth and unlocking the region’s vast tourism potential, offers a unique opportunity to collaborate and thrive together.

Placing emphasis on sustainability, he reminded that the endeavour should transcend revenue aspirations by empowering the local communities, all the while safeguarding “our distinctive natural heritage.”

Sunil Jeevrajji Singhi, Chairman of the National Traders Welfare Board, attending as a special guest, highlighted the efforts being made to improve ‘ease of doing business.’ He said that the intent has been to reduce the “compliance burden” on traders and improving access to funds.

Convenor, CoNESCCI, Rupam Goswami, who delivered the keynote address, stressed on the NE states growing together by taking advantage of the opportunities available.

Relaxing land laws
The Chief Minister further emphasised the importance of relaxing land laws, in other words, the prevailing landholding system in Nagaland.

“We need to relax land laws, make regulations for leasing land, create land banks and introduce mechanisms to boost confidence in the minds of investors, particularly (in) the Foothill areas,” he said.

In March 2014, the Assembly had adopted a resolution for establishing a special economic zone straddling the foothills of the state. An empowered committee was subsequently formed to reviewing the existing laws to carry forward the initiative. It however was shelved after it faced strong opposition from the tribal hohos.

Recalling the State Government’s failed bid, he maintained that the sole objective was to enable investment, industrialization and create a congenial environment for external investments to enter the state.

More recently, the State Government has made renewed effort to revisit the shelved NSDZ (Nagaland Special Development Zone).

According to Rio, a Ministerial Committee, headed by the Chief Minister, and a High Powered Committee, headed by the Chief Secretary was notified on September 6, 2023.

The Committees will “review the existing State laws, orders and instructions with a view to amending them to make the NSDZ project viable and effective and finally bring about a Masterplan for the NSDZ for effective implementation,” he said.

He welcomed any landowners, villagers or CSOs, “who are willing” to approach the government to formulate regulations and ensuring the early implementation of the resolutions passed on March 24, 2014.

It can enable cadastral survey and issuing of land patta (deed) for creating a “land bank” with the purpose of leasing to prospective investors/industrialists for periods up to 99 years, he added.