Social activist demands explanation from Industries & Commerce Department
Despite receiving final approval from the Government of India in March 2020 under the Micro & Small Enterprises – Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP), the much-anticipated Common Facility Centre (CFC) for the Food Processing Cluster at Yaongyimsen, Mokokchung, remains non-operational even after more than five years.
The prolonged delay has prompted social activist Bendang Imsong to address an open letter to the Principal Secretary and Director of the Industries & Commerce Department, Government of Nagaland. In the letter dated June 30, Imsong questioned the inordinate delay and demanded an explanation from the concerned department.
Referring to the original project approval (vide letter No. 1(926)/CDD/CFC/Food Cluster/Mokokchung/2019 dated 09.03.2020), Imsong pointed out that the CFC “should become operational within 24 months of approval — with a possible six-month extension subject to specified conditions.” Yet, as of mid-2025, “the facility remains non-functional even after more than five years.”
“I would like to know the reason for such an inordinate delay in the completion and commissioning of the project, and what specific challenges or factors are contributing to this prolonged stagnation,” the letter stated.
The project was initially approved by the 52nd Steering Committee of the MSE-CDP held on January 22, 2020. According to a letter from CSS Rao, Deputy Director (MSME), addressed to the Nagaland Government on March 9, 2020, the Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation (NIDC) was designated as the Implementing Agency (IA), while the Gol grant-in-aid for setting up of the CPC will be released to IA.
“The day-to-day activities, running and maintenance of the CFC will be the responsibility of M/s Changtongya and Yongyinusen Agro Processors Association, Mokokchung a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) constituted for setting up, operating and maintaining this CFC,” it added.
The central government had also made it clear that if the CFC failed to become operational within the stipulated time, an extension could be granted only with a 10% reduction of the GoI’s grant, which would then have to be borne by the SPV.
The open letter has also been forwarded to the Chairman of the District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) Mokokchung and the MLA of 22nd Arkakong AC.