NPF criticizes Gov’s address on Naga pol issue

Says, Governor’s speech on Naga issue misleading

Correspondent KOHIMA, FEB 15 (NPN) : Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Monday witnessed a heated debate over governor RN Ravi’s speech to the House on February 12. Irked by Ravi’s mention in his speech that negotiation between Government of India and Naga groups had concluded, opposition member Imkong Imchen launched a scathing attack on the government, alleging that the governor’s address was misleading and contradicting.

Initiating the debate on the second day of seventh session of 13th NLA, NPF legislator Imchen recalled that even in 2019, the governor and chief minister’s budget speeches had mentioned that the negotiation had concluded and repeatedly mentioned in the House, which he said was misleading and questioned how the negotiation had concluded.

Wondering whether the statement was a fact, he asked the government to clarify the matter in the Assembly and tell people of the State whether it had indeed concluded else, he said leader of the House must admit it was a mistake.

Imchen pointed out that the sentence “there was a need for efforts to build on substantial gains made so far” was contradictory as Union minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy stated in Parliament on February 12 that “negotiations with Naga groups are at an advanced state, however no time frame can be indicated at this stage” and asked whether the response of the Central minister should be considered or the governor’s who said it was concluded.

Responding to the query raised by Imchen, Rio clarified that Governor RN Ravi, who is also the Interlocutor to the Naga peace talks, was the one who had announced that talks had concluded and not the State government.

As the house was expected to witness a daylong debate on the Naga issue, among others, on Tuesday, Rio informed that members would be given sufficient time to discuss on the Naga issue on February 16.

Participating in the motion of thanks to the governor’s address, Health minister Pangnyu Phom said doctors, nurses, church organisations and civil societies should be appreciated for their efforts in combating COVID-19 pandemic.

He remarked that although the State’s health infrastructure was in a poor shape, the mortality rate due to COVID was relatively very low. He claimed that all district hospitals, community health centres (CHCs), public health centres and sub-centres were improved at the initiative of the State government during the pandemic. On Naga political issue, Pangnyu said the Assembly had already adopted several resolutions and even at the October 15, 2020 consultative meeting, which a few political parties could not attend, a seven-point resolution was adopted and submitted to Government of India (GoI).

He claimed that the law and order situation in the State had greatly improved and the State was largely peaceful after the PDA government took over.

Participating in the debate, opposition MLA YM Yollow said pandemic was a blessing in disguise for the people as the much-needed BLS labs were set up.

Taking a dig at the government for claiming all credit for successfully combating the pandemic, as evident in the governor’s address, Yollow said the credit should be shared with the people. He claimed that the pandemic was largely contained due the concerted efforts of NGOs from all the 1,285 recognised villages in the State.

Pointing out that there were only around 25,000 returnees to Nagaland, he said they could have been easily accommodated in Kohima and Dimapur, but the government decided to send them even to far flung districts. He alleged that while all funds were being used up for developmental activities in Kohima and Dimapur, the returnees were sent to their home districts even without any test being performed on them. Taking a jibe at the Nagaland’s failure to have even one medical college till now, Yollow said other States could start asking questions like which State in India does not have a medical college in their civil services exams.

Taking part in the motion of thanks to the governor’s address, Rural Development minister Metsubo Jamir said Nagas have shown solidarity in the fight against the pandemic.

He said active participation and contribution by members from every community had helped in overcoming the pandemic and contributed in keeping the general population safe from the virus.

Opposition member Vikheho Swu pointed out that completion and inauguration of projects were not accomplishments to be celebrated and reminded the government that most of these were initiated by the NPF-DAN government and there was no real pride in wearing someone else’s feather.

He recalled that Union road transport & highways minister Nitin Gadkari had, during his visit to Nagaland in 2015 to lay foundation stone for the four-lane road from Dimapur to Kohima, made a commitment for a Rs 10,000-crore package for Nagaland for construction of concrete roads

Swu asked the PDA government why no work had started on roads that were already approved and declared as national highways like NH 29 to NH 29 (new NH) Dimapur Bypass (2.70 km), Mon-Longwa-Pangsha-Kiphire-Avangkhu Trans Eastern Highway (280 km), Showba-Guzunyu- Pughoboto- Zunheboto- Aghunato- Shamator-Noklak-Pangsha (200 km), Gandhi Ashram Chuchuyimlang NH 2 to Pangsha ITC (167 km) and Maibung in Tening in Nagaland to Tamenlong via Tamei in Manipur (75 km) totalling 724 km.

On maintenance of existing roads, he said the roads in Nagaland were pathetic due to lack of a maintenance policy. He said the NEC road that was promised and assured to be upgraded to national highway was in a very deplorable condition for over a decade, though this was the shortest and best route to connect Mokokchung district and entire ENPO areas.

Sharing his travelling experiences, Swu said the legislators have collectively failed to meet the State’s urgent need for bridges, pointing out that Dikhu bridge between Salulamang and Mongtikang required top priority as it connected the remote areas of Mokokchung, Longleng, Mon, Tuensang and Noklak and would significantly improve development of the eastern region.

He mentioned that COVID-19 was just a warning and called for upgrading health services in the State. He said the State’s agriculture sector was badly hit by the pandemic.

Swu observed that though the pandemic prompted education department to come out with online student evaluation portal, it was done without much thought being given to students who did not have access to smart phones and internet, especially in rural areas where networks are abysmal.

He referred to the higher and technical education department’s proud proclamation of implementing 10 new projects under RUSA 2.0, the major ones being the construction of engineering college at Tzurangsa, Mokokchung and one new model degree college at Tzupaksa, Mangkolemba, Mokokchung.

However, he pointed out that the pace at which these were being implemented contradicted the already assured upgrade of Khelhoshe Polytechnic at Atoizu to that of engineering college in 2007. He reminded that Neiphiu Rio was chief minister at that time too and sought assurance of starting it without any further delay.

Appreciating the power department for strengthening transmission, Swu remarked that the power sector was badly lacking despite the fact that electricity was one of the eight core industries of the country.

The peak power demand in the State was approximately 175 mw, which he said was met with 90% import from outside. He termed this as alarming as the supply from outside the State could get disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances, thereby effectively crippling the entire State. He said this lesson had been thoroughly taught by the pandemic during which Nagaland had to heavily rely on networking and technology.

He said the Doyang hydro electric project (HEP) was owned by NEEPCO, but Nagaland gets only 15% share of the power generated by it.

He said Dikhu HEP and Tizu-Zungki HEP alone had the potential to provide more than 200 mw of power, which was more than the peak-level demand of 175 mw.

Though the State spent more than Rs 300 crore annually on purchase of power, Swu said the revenue realized was just Rs 150 crore, thus accumulating a loss of 50% each year.

He asked the chief minister to explain the government’s policy in resolving the issue as the power infrastructure of Nagaland continues to be a relic of the past.

Leader of opposition TR Zeliang said the speech of the governor was always prepared by the State government. He remarked that the governor’s address was largely dominated by COVID-19 pandemic, pointing out that the fight against the pandemic was a common fight, regardless of political colours or affiliations.

He acknowledged the role played by the church, NGOs and voluntary organisations in the fight against the virus and lauded them for their tireless efforts.

Zeliang said the so-called achievements claimed by the government were greatly exaggerated. He alleged that despite the assurance given by the government at the beginning of the pandemic, it was not prepared to handle the situation as reports of positive cases started to emerge, which led to confusion and complete chaos.

He pointed out that even the frontline workers were not equipped with proper gears, while the BSL labs were not completed on time, forcing the State to send COVID samples to neighbouring States for testing.

He regretted that the government functioned in a dictatorial manner during the pandemic by placing gag orders on the medical and by trying to stifle any dissenting voice. The media was barred from acquiring information through any source except from heads of departments (HoDs), which showed the State in a poor light and exposed lack of preparedness, he added.

He cautioned that in the event of any such pandemic in the future, the State would be faced with greater danger, if a similar approach was replicated.

On the Dzükou fire, Zeliang asked the government to put precautionary measures in place so as to avoid such tragedies in the future. He said since there were annual fire outbreaks, the government should resolve land disputes with neighbouring Manipur and make sure that such cases did not recur.

On agriculture, he wanted to know from the government whether distribution of agricultural machineries to farmers had helped the State’s agriculture produce. He said any policy or programme initiated by the government should be followed with financial package else, he said it would not be productive.

Referring to governor’s reference to road construction in his speech, Zeliang said the issue was discussed during the last session and the agreement was for total reconstruction of the road from New Field check gate to Patkai bridge, and not repairing the existing road as was done currently.

He pointed out that although the road from Purana Bazaar to Chümoukedima had been completed, there was still no drainage in some portions, which could cause problems during the monsoon.

In his concluding remarks, leader of the house, Neiphiu Rio thanked and acknowledged all the participants for their healthy and positive feedbacks and said that all suggestion given by the members were duly noted.

On COVID-19 pandemic, Rio said the world was taken by surprise as no one was prepared to deal with such crisis.

While admitting that there had been some mishaps along the way, he said that all precautionary measures were taken to ensure that such instances were avoided at all cost possible.

To tackle the food shortage issue, Rio said the government was working on a cluster agri called ‘Naga Integrated Farming’ which was initiated in some locations and the same would soon be taken up in the rest of the districts.

On the road construction, Rio said the government was satisfied with the road constructions made so far including the four-lane road from Purana Bazaar to Chümoukedima, which, he said, was the first four-lane road in the state.

The chief minister moved for the adoption of the motion of thanks to the governor’s address after the debate which was passed by the house.

Minister Kashiho Sangtam, adviser Dr. Neikiesalie Kire and members from the opposition bench K Khalo and Amenba Yaden were among those who took part in the debate.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/npf-criticizes-gov-s-address-on-naga-pol-issue/228887.html