Mantra for new govt under Rio – Early solution, good governance and development

Naga Republic News

Governor, Nagaland, P.B. Acharya addressing the first session of the thirteenth Nagaland Legislative assembly, congratulated the members on being elected to the house. Elections give an opportunity to people to exercise their sovereign right to vote and choose their representatives, he stated maintaining that elected members both of the treasury and the opposition bench have a crucial role to play in framing laws and guiding Government policy.

He expressed confidence that members will bring in new ideas and thoughts for the betterment of our Society, guided by the concern for the welfare and interest of the people they represent. You have an onerous task to perform and a great responsibility to discharge as the custodian of faith, and confidence the people of Nagaland have reposed in you for peace and prosperity, he added.

My Government has come back to power with peoples’ mandate on the promise of ‘Bringing Change’ to Nagaland as a common vision of the political parties forming the alliance, Acharya stated. Our motto has been – ‘Together with All, Development for All’ in sync with the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s plan of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas.’ Together with the Government of India we are committed for a New Vision of Nagaland which is based on the twin foundations of Good Governance & Transparency and Development & Economic Growth. My Government would stand firm on its motto of ‘Deeds not Words,’ he assured.

At the top of my Government’s priority is early resolution of the Naga Political Issue, Acharya said assuring to work with all stakeholders for a solution that is honorable, sustainable and acceptable to the people. Peace for Development and Development for Peace has been our motto, and we shall ensure ushering in an era of Development with all round Peace, he added apprising of the plans to set up a Centre for Peace that will help bring together all stakeholders for a long term peaceful settlement.

Acharya mooted transparency, good governance and the culture of meritocracy with an objective to bring in accountability of Government as the prime focus the Government. He further apprised of the Government’s decision to ensure that all Government Departments and Government Institutions have their websites and social media accounts for providing related information to citizens in a time bound manner. The Government has also decided that periodical appraisals and assessments of all Departments will be carried out to ensure timely achievement of targets to avoid delays and cost escalation, Aadhaar linkage to check bogus and fake beneficiaries and regular attendance of all employees to work, he added.

Maintaining that the State in an unprecedented financial crisis, he highlighted the huge financial deficit that new government has inherited which was Rs. 1657.88 Crores as of 31^st March, 2017 and likely to be higher at the end of March 2018. The Government has the challenge of bringing in fiscal prudence and discipline as also ensuring that we are able to get our due share in taxes and fiscal grants from Government of India besides taking hard decisions to control wasteful expenditure and misuse of funds he said justifying the Government’s stand on the issue. On the Government’s behalf he assured to ensure strict verification of the works done under development schemes before releasing the payment.

On the deplorable state of Roads in the State, the Governor said that repair and strengthening of roads will be the top priority of the Government. He highlighted the Government’s decision to start immediate repair and renovation of roads and filling of potholes in Kohima, Dimapur and all district headquarters. The ongoing works on Kohima Dimapur – 4 laning being carried out by NHIDCL for 42.86 km at a total cost of Rs. 1066.55 crores will be monitored closely for time bound completion.

The work on Nagaland portion of Dimapur bye pass sanctioned at a total cost of Rs. 387 crores will be followed up closely for timely completion. Survey for Kohima bye pass for a total length of 36 km at a cost of Rs. 1389.80 crores will also be expedited for easing the traffic in Kohima town. He further said other sanctioned roads like Wokha – Merapani (60 km at a cost of 191 Crores) Zunheboto – Chakabama (128 km at 1600 crores), Pfutsero-Phek (66 km at 825 Crores), Merangkong – Tamlu – Mon (100 km at 1250 crores) and Changtonya – Longleng (35 km at 437.5 Crores) will be taken up soon. Survey for Simalguri – Mon has also been initiated, he added.

On Road, Air and Rail connectivity, the Governor said the Government will take up with Government of India for improved Air connectivity for Dimapur under Regional Connectivity Scheme besides plan to connect all district headquarters with helicopter service along with provision for air ambulances and expediting the ongoing work of laying the 88km railway line to Zubza.

Measures will be taken to make the State Police force modern and effective by equipping them with more modern weaponry, communication system, transport facilities and imparting rigorous training, Acharya said apprising of the Government’s priority to the maintenance of law and order and a peaceful environment in the State. He further apprised of the plans to set up Nagaland Investment and Development Authority to bring in Investments and also organize Business and Investment Summit to focus on our strengths.

Regarding agriculture, the Governor assured that the Government will create proper marketing mechanism, including buy-back facilities, to encourage farmers to produce more and assure remunerative returns. Referring to the traditional methods of agriculture uncontaminated by the use of inorganic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, he said the Government will try its best to turn this apparent ‘backwardness’ into a ‘blessing’ while also encouraging production of high value organic agricultural produce.

Nagaland is located in one of the 25 hot spot bio-diversity areas of the world, and this must be protected at all costs and strategies for sustainable development of the resources must be devised. The rare medicinal plants and herbs can truly help create jobs and boost the economy, the Governor added.

Our State has the potential to be an attractive tourist destination offering a unique blend of heritage and culture to travelers in search of nature, music and cultural tourism. Along with eco-tourism, it also has a great opportunity for adventure tourism. With peace and good infrastructure, there will be investors for tourism that will yield good returns with the unique bio-diversity and salubrious climate. The Government will promote home stays and rural tourism that will offer an experience to tourists, which is unparalleled, the Governor said.

In order to enhance the resilience of farmers to climate change and to increase household agricultural income of farmers, Department of Agriculture is implementing a World Bank assisted project – Fostering Climate Resilient Upland Farming Systems in the North East (FOCUS) in partnership with International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). This project is to benefit almost 730,000 people and 146,000 households in about 754 villages in the eight districts of Mon, Longleng, Zunheboto, Wokha, Kiphire, Phek, Mokokchung and Kohima. The Governor also apprised of the Government’s plans for effective and timely implementation of this project to increase the environmental sustainability and profitability of the farming systems practiced by the highland farmers of Nagaland.

Acharya also highlighted the implementation of Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP) by the Forest Department with funding from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The objective of the project he said is to improve forest ecosystem and support income generation by rehabilitation of Jhum area and provision of livelihood support, thereby contributing to sustainable forest and environmental conservation and livelihood improvement.

Peace and stability are the pre-requisites for formulation and implementation of meaningful policies and programmes, the Governor stated. He expressed confidence that members will seize the tasks that lie ahead and the responsibilities for fulfilling the expectations of the electorate.

Source: DIPR