Kohima, March 19 (MTNews): The 11th Session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly commenced on Saturday at NLA Secretariat, Kohima, with Governor of Nagaland and Assam, Prof Jagdish Mukhi addressing the assembly.
Obituary reference to the passing away of Dr. Kakheto Zhimomi, former MLA in February 2022, was made by the Speaker NLA Sharingain Longkumer. The house observed a five minute silence in respect of the departed soul.
Governor addresses oppositionless NLA
Addressing the Eleventh Session of the Thirteenth Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Governor, Nagaland, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi said he was elated to address the August House, where the members had come together to form an opposition-less Government, the United Democratic Alliance, to pursue an early solution to the Naga Political Issue.
The Governor highlighted the consultative meeting on Naga Peace Process held on 9th March 2022 with various organizations, political parties, and all the members of the NLA, where a resolution was adopted reiterating the Naga peoples’ yearning for an early political solution. He said the resolution called upon all the negotiating parties to arrive at a political solution that is honorable, inclusive, transparent, and acceptable to the people and resolved to appeal to all sections to make renewed efforts towards unity and understanding to work towards “One Solution and One Agreement.”
Takeaways from the Governor’s Address
SIT Investigation on Oting incident complete
On the Oting incident, he stated that the Government took every possible step to lessen the pain of the victim families. It provided prompt succor in the form of monetary compensation; a job in the State Government to the next of kin of all the deceased and the entire medical care needs of those injured was looked after by the District Administration. He also said that it approached the Government of India for taking up certain developmental projects in the affected areas, which besides assuring the traumatized populace, will also help in faster development of the area. Prof. Mukhi added that the Special Investigation Team investigating the matter has worked at a good pace and has completed its investigation and that the Army has also constituted a Court of Inquiry in the matter and it is also expected to complete its inquiry soon.
Healthcare infrastructure significantly improved
The Governor stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has tested the capabilities and health capacities of the State like never before. As part of its efforts to combat the COVID-19 and be prepared for the future, he said the State Government has significantly improved the health infrastructure of the State.
On creation of new districts
Prof. Mukhi said the creation of Tseminyu district realizes the aspirations of the Rengma people to have a district of their own and Shamator district’s creation is also the fulfillment of the desire of the Yimkhiung and Tikhir people to have a separate district and resolving their decades-old disputes amicably, which also led to the recognition of Tikhir as a separate Naga Tribe. He added the up-gradation of Niuland to a full-fledged district was required on administrative grounds, and the creation of Chumoukedima district resolved the matter regarding the headquarters of the erstwhile Dimapur district. On the demands received for the creation of new districts, he said the Government, keeping with the motto of Unity, would not like to divide any single-tribe district.
ULBs, law and order, border issue
The issue of elections for the Urban Local Bodies in the State has been resolved in the Consultative Meeting held on 9th March 2022 to conduct the elections as per the 74th Amendment Act of the Constitution. The Governor said the general law and order situation in the State has remained by and large peaceful. On the issue of the inter-state borders in Mokokchung with Assam, a Select Committee headed by the Chief Minister has been constituted to examine and find ways for amicable settlement of the border issue.
Oil & Petroleum exploration
He said the Chief Minister of Assam has positively indicated for equally dividing the proceeds of Petroleum and Oil exploration and extraction between the two states in sectors A, B & C in the DAB area. Outside the DAB, for exploration and extraction, he said the Government of India has to recognize the ownership for the indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland and the constitutional protection granted to them under Article 371(A) of the Constitution regarding the transfer of land and its resources, and thereafter devise a mutually agreed, suitable mechanism for payment of royalty and issue of PELs.
Agri & Allied sector
Prof. Mukhi said the Agriculture Department has certified 13,000 hectares under organic certification to get a premium price for the farmers.
Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services is setting up three Model Piggery Farms at an estimated cost of Rs. 300.00 lakh with funding from NABARD to produce piglets. The Department under Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) has established one Gokul Gram on Mithun at Jotsoma Village Community Reserved Forest. He stated that the Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources envisages local production of about 9,150 metric tonnes during the year 2021-22. The Governor stated that Sericulture Department during the year 2021-22, has taken up an area of 1,000 acres of land for cultivation of Silkworm host plants and silkworm rearing activities under both State and Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
A “State Soil Testing Laboratory’ at Kohima was inaugurated by Union Minister, Kishan Reddy on 24th September 2021 and full-fledged Soil Testing Laboratories (STL) have been established in all the districts.
Rural Development
Department of Rural Development under MGNREGS during 2021-22, received a total of Rs. 46,932.37 lakh with the Central share being Rs. 42,575.09 lakh against a total of 8,596 works/projects. Under PMAY-G, for the year 2022-23, an amount of Rs. 1740.67 lakh as Centre’s share and Rs. 193.32 lakh as State share have been earmarked with a target to construct 5,900 houses in the State.
Environment, Forests & Climate Change
Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change is implementing the Nagaland Forest Management project, which is an Externally Aided project funded by JICA, Government of Japan and it has so far covered 91 villages across the State in two batches. The Department is implementing another Externally Aided Project, under Indo – German Financial Cooperation from KfW, Germany called “Forest & Biodiversity Management in the Himalaya, Nagaland” for conservation of bio-diversity rich areas and livelihood improvement. The State Forest Development Agency under the National Afforestation Program (NAP) has brought an area of 63,933 hectares covering 1,161 villages under afforestation.
School Education
Department of School Education has also developed the ‘Nagaland Education Management And Information System (NEMIS)’ to monitor the functioning of all types of Schools including Child Tracking in the State on a real-time basis. Nagaland has made appreciable progress in the implementation of the ‘National Education Policy 2020’ which commenced in a phased manner from the later part of 2020. The Department is implementing the World Bank assisted Project, ‘The Nagaland Education Project – The Lighthouse (NECTAR)’ since April 2021 which aims to improve the State School Governance Index, improve in teaching, and enhance the overall learning environment in Government Schools.
Higher and Technical Education
Department of Higher and Technical Education, through the Centrally sponsored scheme of RUSA, is constructing among others a Professional College of Music & Fine Arts at Tsiesema, Kohima, one Engineering College at Tzurangsa, Mokokchung and one New Model Degree College at Tzupaksa, Mokokchung.
Geology & Mining
Department of Geology and Mining under the Regional Coal Exploration program, exploration of an area covering 13.7 sq. km in Changki Block has been completed with an estimated deposit of 148.86 MMT.
Industries & Commerce
Department of Industries & Commerce has set up six clusters, and 550 Artisans have been trained at Longwa, Pfutsero, Longleng, Gathashi, Jalukie and Tuli.
PHED
On implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the State, the Governor stated that the Public Health Engineering Department has provided 222 habitations with 100% Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC). The Department also plans to cover a total of 513 habitations with drinking water supply under JJM during 2022-23.
Power
To reduce expenditure from power purchase, Governor Mukhi stated that the Department of Power has enhanced renewable energy generation in line with the Government of India’s policy for renewable capacity addition and has proposed four sustainable projects.
Tribal Affairs
Tribal Affairs Department has completed the selection of sites for 11 (eleven) EMR schools across the State for the year 2021-22. The Schools have been sanctioned for Rs. 26 crore each by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
Sports
The Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima has been designated as Khelo India State Centre of Excellence (KISCE) in three disciplines, namely, Wrestling, Archery, and Boxing under Khelo India Centre (KIC). The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (India) has approved the opening of 19 KICs in 11 Districts of Nagaland for various disciplines.