Kohima-Sechu rail line targeted to be completed by 2026
Mokokchung, September 20 (MTNews):Responding to a starred question raised by Yitachu, MLA,on the work status of State Capital Kohima Railway Line on the 12th session of the 13th NLA, Minister-in-charge of Transport, Civil Aviation & Railways, PaiwangKonyak stated that the Dimapur-Dhansiripar to Kohima-Sechu Broad Gauge rail line is being taken up in three phases:
He explained that Phase – I (from 0 to 17 Km) is in 100% progress while Phase – 2 (from 17 to 44%) has progressed65% and Phase – 3 (from 44 to 82.50 %) has12% progress, which amounts to 48% in total progress.
“The 1st Phase of the Dimapur-Dhansiripar to Kohima-Sechu rail line has been completed and the final phase is targeted to be completed by 2026,” he added.
“Delay in acquisition of land, heavy and long monsoon season and short working season, non-existence of approach road to the project site, and the COVID-19 lockdown caused delay in the completion of the works,” he said.
On a query made on the status of waterways by Yitachu again,the Minister replied that the State Government has been pursuing with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Govt. of India for the development of Tizu-Zungki River (National Waterway No. 101) as an Inland Waterway Corridor.
He added that, “as per the advice of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Govt. of India, Nagaland Inland Waterways Board (NIWB) has been constituted, headed by Minister, Transport as the Chairperson and Chief Secretary as the Co-opted Chairperson”.
According to him, there are four rivers identified by IWAl as National Waterways viz. 1) National Waterway – 30: Dhansiri/Chate River 2) National Waterway – 31: Dikhu River 3) National Waterway – 32: Doyang River and 4) National Waterway – 101: Tizu-Zungki River.
CM responds to Kohima-Dimapur four lane& Smart City funds
Responding to a starred question raised by MLA Chotisuh Sazo and Kuzholuzo Nienu during the 1st day of the 12th session of the 13th NLA session on Tuesday, CM Rio said the four-lane road project, announced by former Prime Minister AtalBihari Vajpayee in October 2003, is still “struggling after 12 years”, despite it being announced to be the first four-lane road in the northeast region.
Rio believes that the changes in both the central and localgovernment have kept the project in cold storage. He also cited that land acquisition and the high demand for land compensation from land owners delayed the project to no end.
Meanwhile, Minister-in-Charge, PWD (NH) while replying to a query on whether any MoU has been signed between the Government and the company/NHIDCL/ contractors for maintaining the existing road till the completion of the four lane road, stated that there is no such MoU signed between the Government of Nagaland and NHIDCL.
“The main reasons for the delay given by NHIDCL were unprecedented/unseasonal adverse weather condition, shortage of bitumen, unprecedented rain, extremely adverse weather condition, landslides due to frequent rain, working constraints due to disturbance of locals/land issues/hindrances, COVID-19 restrictions, etc.,” he added.
The Chief Minister also informed that the “the total amount sanctioned under Smart City consists of Rs. 245 crore from the Government of India share and Rs. 30 crore from the State Share.
“The total amount utilized is Rs. 234.42 Crore,” he said while responding to a query on funds sanctioned under Smart City.
The CM also said that “Adhoc and Contingency employees by their very nature, are temporary, and no policy is required to provide on their attaining retirement age,” while responding to a query raised by legislator Yitachuon the policy of the Government to resolve the Adhoc and Contingency employees attaining retirement age.
Urgent need to resume exploration & mining petroleum in Nagaland: Nienu
While calling attention to matter of urgent public importance under rule 54 during the 12th Session of the 13th assembly on September 20, 2022, the Leader of NPF Legislature Party, Kuzholuzo Nienu, stated that there is an urgent need to resume petroleum exploration and mining in Nagaland.
Stating that oil is no longer considered to be primary source of energy for the future owing to climate change and advancement in technology, he said that the world is shifting towards “cleaner and sustainable & renewable energy” and that, core oil companies like OIL, ONGC are now shifting heavily towards production of clean energy.
“It is high time the state government take concrete steps to resume the oil and gas exploration and production in Nagaland before the ‘golden liquid’ becomes redundant and loses its utility and thereby its market value,” he said.
He further added that the use of the ‘golden liquid’ is expected to drastically come down by the year 2035 throughout the world including India.
“There are even projections that by the year 2050, the use of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas would completely stop,” Azo added.
To find a way for resuming oil and gas exploration activities in the state, Azo stated that the Union Minister for Petroleum initiated a bipartite agreement with the State Government, the MOU of which is expected to be finalized and signed very soon.
“Since Exploration activities may take an average of five to seven years, the mindset of the stakeholders including the State Government should be on monetizing the existing oilfields and get immediate return. It will be pertinent for the State Government to formulate policies wherein it can have a Participating Interest (PI) of 10% to 15% in the already existing oilfields like Champang and Tissori,” he said.
Minister Geology & Mining Kashiho Sangtam also gave a brief status on petroleum & natural gas affairs in Nagaland. He stated that petroleum exploration commenced in Nagaland during 1971 and oil was first struck in Changpang-Tssori in 1973. He further added that 29 oil wells were drilledin Changpang, however was suspended during May 1994.
The Minister stated that the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio held a meeting with Union Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas and subsequent meetings were held with Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Union Minster for PNG, GOI, in New Delhi.
“The Union Minister suggested the Government of Nagaland and the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas to come up with a Bipartite MOU to facilitate resumption of exploration and production of petroleum & natural gas in the state pending resolution of the matter in the High Court,” he informed.
Minister Kashiho apprised the House that MoPNG has shared the Draft Bipartite MoU between MoPNG, GoI and Government of Nagaland and accordingly, the State Government has forwarded the matter to the Advocate General Nagaland and is awaiting the reply.
TemjenImna Along informs on works taken up under Article 275 (1)
The Minister in-charge of Tribal Affairs Department, TemjenImna Along while responding to a query further raised by Neinu onthe works taken up by Tribal Affairs Department under Article 275 (1) within Phek district, highlighted the following works carried out:
· Digitization of Library & Classrooms in Phek Government College and Pfutsero Government College
· Digitization and upgradation of office utilities at Tsunazho Polytechnic
· Construction of Community Council Court at Zavema (DPR @Rs. 100 lakh is under finalization and work order yet to be issued (2021-2022); and
· Construction of Guest House at Thipuzu (@ Rs 50.00 lakh). Works allotted to the Directorate of Higher Education @ Rs 26.26 lakh per unit (Rs 26.26 x 2) for implementation (2020-2021) and works allotted to the Directorate of Technical Education @Rs 41.66 per unit (Rs 41.66 x 1) for implementation (2020-2021).
Metsubo responds to status on construction of Training Institute Building under SIRD
Minister of Rural Development, Metsubo Jamir while responding to a query made by MLA, Dr. Chotisuh Sazo on the status of construction on Training Institute Building under SIRD at Chozuba Sub-Division, replied that the work is in “good progress with Administrative, Training and Classroom Block – 90%, Boys Hostel – 65 % and Girls Hostel – 1 %” and added that Rs. 390.00 lakh was sanctioned for the project.
The minister also informed that rules for adoption is provided under Nagaland Juvenile Justice Rule 2017 while responding to a query on whether the State has a policy on child adoption.
CM and Dy. CM lays reports and rules
Chief MinisterNeiphiu Rio laid on the Table a copy each of the Annual Reports/Rules/Regulations of the following Departments:
· 53rd Annual Report (April 1, 2018 – March 31, 2019) of the Nagaland Public Service Commission.
· 54th Annual Report (April 1, 2019 – March 31, 2020) of the Nagaland Public Service Commission.
· 55th Annual Report (April 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021) of the Nagaland Public Service Commission.
· Audit Report by the Accountant General (Audit) Nagaland on the Accounts of Nagaland Khadi& Village Industries Board for the year 2015-2016 to 2019-2020.
· Nagaland Staff Selection Board Regulations – 2020.
· Nagaland State Lotteries (Regulation) Rules, 2022.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Home, Y. Patton laid on the Table a copy each of the following Rules:
· The Private Security Agencies (Nagaland) Rules, 2022
· The Private Security Agencies (Private Security to Cash Transportation Activities) Nagaland Rules, 2022
Minister for Transport, Paiwang Konyak laid on the Table a copy of The Nagaland Motor Vehicles Department Service Rules (First Amendment) 2022.
Paiwang responds to land encroachment issue in Dimapur Airport
Mokokchung, September 20 (MTNews): Minister-in-charge of Transport, Civil Aviation & Railways, P. Paiwang Konyak furnished the names of the encroachers responding to a starred question from Nienu.
He said that the State Government is putting a concerted effort to complete the formalities of handing over the land occupied by Assam Rifles and CRPF. to Airports Authority of India, so as to enable the AAI to take up Airport Development work in time bound manner.
“A series of meetings had been held with the various stakeholders. Assam Rifles and CRPF authorities had agreed in principle to hand over the land to AAI. The final meeting for the handing and taking over of the land from the Assam Rifles and CRPF would be conducted upon submission of the final joint survey report from the appropriate authority,” he answered.
Governor of Nagaland assent three bills
Secretary-in-Charge, NLA Secretariat reported on the 12th session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly that three bills have been given assent by the Governor of Nagaland. The bills are:
i) The Nagaland Appropriation Bill No. 1 (Supplementary Demand for Grants) for the year 2021-2022.
ii) The Nagaland Appropriation Bill No. 2 (Demand for Grants) for the year 2022-2023.
iii) The Nagaland Village and Tribal Councils (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022.
Presentation of Assembly Committee Reports
Chairman of the Committee on Subordinate Legislation (2022-2023), Y. VikhehoSwu presented a copy each of the following Reports:
· Seventy-Eighth Report on Action Taken by the Government on the 71st Report on the Rules for regulating the procedure for Deputation and Absorption of the Central and State Government Officers, including Officers from the Autonomous Bodies and their Service Conditions under the Government of Nagaland, 2016.
· Seventy-Ninth Report on Action Taken by the Government on the 66th Report on the Nagaland Shops and Establishment Rules, 2015.