Kohima, 16 August (MTNews): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio extended warm Independence Day greetings to Nagaland’s citizens from the Secretariat Plaza, Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima. Amidst the resplendent celebrations on 15 August, Rio echoed the state’s enduring commitment to contribute to the nation’s progress while safeguarding the bedrock principles of the Constitution and democratic ideals.
Naga Political Issue: A Top Priority
Rio unveiled a resolute vision for Nagaland’s future, placing the resolution of the Naga Political Issue as the paramount concern of his administration. He pledged earnest consultations with all stakeholders and called upon Naga Political Groups, stakeholders, and the Government of India to unite in crafting an inclusive, honorable and acceptable solution without any further delay.
Bridging Developmental Divides
Amidst the echoes of progress, Rio acknowledged the developmental gaps, particularly in the eastern districts, while appreciating the Government of India for addressing these concerns. He assured support for the eastern districts to surge ahead, narrowing the gap and ensuring equitable development across the state.
On ULB
With the wisdom of unity, Rio shared how the Nagaland Legislative Assembly responded to the collective voice, foregoing ULB elections and repealing the Act. He said that the government is in the process of taking steps for making a new Act, and requested the cooperation and guidance of every stakeholder.
Exemption from UCC
He informed that keeping in view the sentiments of the people, the State Cabinet urged the Law Commission to exempt Nagaland from the purview of UCC, and shared that the Union Home Minister has assured that UCC would not be applicable to the Scheduled Tribes of Nagaland and the North East.
On Manipur
Amidst regional complexities, Rio extended a hand of harmony, urging communities and groups in Manipur to embrace peace and resolve conflicts amicably, weaving the tapestry of unity and coexistence.
G20 Business Meet
Rio painted a canvas of economic aspirations, recounting the G20 Business Meet hosted by Nagaland in April 2023. Rio shared that proposals and interests were shown in investments, amounting to Rs 4,500 crore in areas of new & renewable energy, health care, agri-allied, etc. and efforts being made to place appropriate policies to convert the expressed business interests into projects on the ground.
Power, Education and Healthcare
Rio mentioned that the Department of Power is proposing to construct 220/132/33KV Substation with associated transmission lines at Tsitrongse, Dimapur, upgradation of Nagarjan Substation, Dimapur, and under the New & Renewable Energy Department, the first major Solar Power Plant of capacity 5MW is nearing completion at Hokhuvi, Niuland.
To improve quality education, Rio said, nine Atal Tinkering Labs and 42 Virtual Reality Labs were inaugurated, and through the NECTAR project, the School Department is implementing the Teacher Attendance Monitoring System (TAMS) to ensure accountability of teachers.
Rio informed that two new colleges, New Model College, Wakching, Mon and New Model College, Mangkolemba, Mokokchung are functional from the academic session 2023 under the Higher Education Department. He added that the State is pursuing the setting up of a Central Hindi Training Institute in Nagaland.
The Chief Minister said that since the launch of the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) on 14th October 2022, 11,850 patients have availed the benefits under CMHIS and PMJAY together. He said that to mitigate the acute shortage of ICU, in 12 District Hospitals, the 10 bed ICU project was launched.
He expressed his happiness on the first medical College, NIMSR which is to start its academic session 2023-24, with 100 MBBS seat capacity.
Triumphs and Accolades
Rio lauded the Nagaland Women Sepaktakraw Team who won 3 Medals at the 33rd Senior National Sepaktakraw Championship held in Nagpur in April 2023, and the Men & Women Teams for qualifying to participate in the 37th National Games, Goa in September.
He also congratulated Venuzo Dawhuo who won the Chin Wrestling Championship Title (open) held in Indianapolis, Indiana in USA, the Mahila Police Band for participating in India’s Got Talent Season 10 and winning the Golden Buzzer, and the Faith in Action Martial Arts Academy, Dimapur for setting a new Guinness World Record for the highest Assisted Martial Arts Kick on the set of India’s Got Talent on Sony TV.
Rio acknowledged the Nagaland Chamber Choir for winning two gold medals in the Mixed Chamber Choir and Contemporary Choral Music categories at the 12th World Choir Games held in Gangneung, South Korea.
Environment and Culture
Rio mentioned that the Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency has covered 144 villages across the state and an area of 24,225 hectares has been brought under afforestation with 55.79 lakh saplings planted.
He said that under the project, the Department is in the process of constructing an Eco-Park in Kohima. He also stated that the Department has started implementation of the second Externally Aided Project, called “Forest & Biodiversity Management in the Himalaya, Nagaland” under Indo -German Financial Cooperation and funded by KfW Development Bank.
Rio mentioned that the Department of Art & Culture has completed the new Archaeological and Heritage Gallery at the State Museum, which was inaugurated on 10 May 2023. He said that a separate Directorate of Minority Affairs has been created in April 2023 under the Planning and Transformation Department, which will give further impetus to the schemes of the Ministry of Minority Affairs being implemented by the State, and that there are nine ongoing projects under Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK). The scheme will now be implemented in all the districts of Nagaland.
Infrastructure
Rio said that the Urban Development Department has submitted a detailed proposal to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for incubation of a new city in Chathe Valley, Chümoukedima. During 2022-23, under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Department of Rural Development, 4.92 lakh individuals were provided employment, and under Amrit Sarovar Mission launched in September 2022, 141 Amrit Sarovar works have been completed.
The Department of Underdeveloped Areas (DUDA) constructed Zingki Bailey Bridge in Kiphire under Border Area Development Program (BADP) which was inaugurated on 28 April 2023, which will benefit people living in Pungro and Kiusam areas. Under UDAP, the Department has implemented Iconic Projects in different locations in the six eastern districts starting 2022-23, and altogether 20 Iconic Projects have been implemented.
Rio further informed that the State Government has proposed to the Central Government to open an airport for operating ATR-72 class of aircrafts, with provision for expansion of handling bigger aircrafts in a phase manner at Chiethu, Kohima. He also said that the State is making an effort to have the first inland waterway corridor, National Waterway -101 (Tizu- Zungki river), in the State.
Rio mentioned that the State is taking up establishment of an Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER) in the State. He also said that in order to enable the Medical College in Kohima to grow and provide sustainability, the State Government has taken up with the Central Government to consider converting it into a Central Institute like the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, or as AIIMS.
Law Enforcement
CCTVs in all the eighty four Police Stations across the State have been installed, which was inaugurated at the Police Stations in Kohima district on 9 August 2023. Rio said that to enhance the reach of the Police, four Police outposts – Seyochung, Kiphire, Champang, and Seithekema-A have been upgraded to Police Stations and a new Police outpost has been set up at Chukitong.
New Police Stations have been constructed at Sovima village, Chümoukedima, and Atoizu, Zunheboto. Further, six new SDPO posts were created in Agunato, Akuluto, Doyang, Jalukie, Meluri and Tobu.
Rio said that this Independence Day, the State is conducting ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign as the culminating event for Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to pay tributes to the ‘Veers’ (Brave hearts) who have made the supreme sacrifice for the country by erecting memorials in all the villages and towns, and taking pledge by holding a fistful of soil (mitti), and planting of 75 saplings of indigenous trees in every village.
Pledge for Drug-Free Nagaland was administered by Rio during the 77th Independence Day celebration as a mark of commitment towards the ‘War on Drugs.’