Mokokchung, August 7 (MTNews): Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, on Sunday addressed the Seventh Meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog in New Delhi which was chaired by the Prime Minister. Issues of agriculture, implementation of National Education Policy (NEP), Higher Education, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Greenfield Airport, Foothill Road, and Power Projects were some of the pertinent issues Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio presented at the meeting.
Agriculture
Presenting on crop diversification and achieving self-sufficiency in oilseeds, pulses and other agri-commodities, Rio said that focus on crop diversification is a fundamental requirement in hill states like Nagaland for safeguarding its agro-biodiversity and ecologically sustainable farming as well as doubling farmers’ income. On this, he said the State government has conceptualized a model of Naga Integrated Settled Farming (N-isF), where all Agri & Allied Departments converge their activities in a single cluster with the availability and creation of water bodies along with basic post-harvest infrastructure facilities. “We have already submitted the Scheme and would like to request Government of India to take up the expansion under the PM-DeVINE scheme,” he informed.
Education
After highlighting the initiatives taken by the state government, Rio pointed out that the provisions for payment of salaries of teachers appointed under erstwhile SSA and RMSA, which were capped after being subsumed to Samagra Shiksha during 2018-19 had created a huge financial burden on the State. “There was an outgo of Rs. 186.77 crore in the last fiscal. This is in addition to the burden of approx. Rs. 75 crore for the salaries of 1379 Hindi teachers appointed under Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) during 2012-17, which the State has to bear now,” he informed, while requesting that special provision may be made for States like Nagaland to meet these expenditures.
On the theme of higher education, Rio said that the State has taken steps to ensure that the Medical College in Kohima is started from the next academic session 2023-24. On Medical College Mon, Rio said that the State is interested in running the college under PPP mode and has initiated exploratory meetings with various agencies. “As requested earlier also, NITI may assist in identifying a private sector partner,” he said.
ULBs
Rio said the state has tried to resolve the issue with regard to 33% women reservation in municipalities after a series of meetings with civil society organizations and tribal bodies, and that municipal elections are scheduled for next year. He also informed that a number of measures have been taken to enhance revenue sources of the Urban Local Bodies.
Greenfield Airport
Kohima is the only state capital in the country which does not have an airport. Saying that the Airport Authority of India has done a revised DPR and the option for A320 Airbus aircraft is found feasible, Rio requested the Govt. of India for immediate sanction of the project so that the state capital of Nagaland has an airport.
Foothill Road
On the Foothill Road, Rio said a feasibility study was also carried out by MoRTH. “This road is crucial for transforming the economic scenario and also facilitates the productivity of agro-based industries in the State. It will further create a market route for trade and commerce with neighboring states and the rest of the country. It is my earnest request that the road be sanctioned at the earliest in the interest of faster economic development and regional connectivity,” he requested.
Multi-Disciplinary Sports complex
Rio also said the state of Nagaland immediately needs a Multi-Disciplinary Sports Centre of Excellence at Dimapur. “Approximately Rs 157 Crores is required for completion of this project and it will go a long way in turning away the youth from insurgency towards a more fruitful way of life. I therefore request for its immediate sanction by the Government of India,” he said.
Power Projects
Rio also said hydro power potential of the State is yet to be exploited. He added that the State Government is dependent on other states for our power supply. While the Zungki HEP and Lower Tizu projects have been approved in principle for External funding by the Department of Economic Affairs, Rio proposed six power projects in the meeting including:
Tizu Valley Hydro Electric project at a cost of Rs 336.63 crore; Construction of 2×5 MW grid-connected Solar PV project (including power evacuation system) at Sub Zhadima at a cost of Rs 67.83 crore; Build 132 Kv Transmission system and Kv distribution strengthening & improvement (along the Foothill Road) at a cost of Rs 857.06 Crore; Installation of smart meters in three major divisions if Dimapur , Chumukedima and Kohima at a cost of Rs 100 crore; Electrification of Rural cluster of Farm areas for rural economy at a cost of Rs 80.00 crore ; and 11kv last mile connectivity under NERPSIP at a cost of Rs 12.00 crore.