Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 19
Minister Health & Family Welfare Kuzholuzo Nienu said much has been spoken on integration and the state assembly has also passed four resolutions, however, the reality is different, “what we talk and practice is different; we should act what is preached as a Christian.” Asserting that Nagas are of one big family, and thereby problems should be identified and brought to light to discuss to heal the patients.
The minister said, the root cause of all the problems is due to less representatives in the government job, poor socio economic condition, lack of developmental activities, “To me, I believe this is an accumulation of 40/50 years of ill treatment, individualism, nepotism, tribalism by the successive government, bureaucrats, politicians, officers, every one for himself, every tribe for themselves, we have become too selfish,” Nienu said. He said there is no sense of appreciation to the government, instead, everyone puts the blame on the chief minister and one should not blame for the hack of politicizing any issue. He also urged the ENPO to withdraw their demands on their statehood demand and resolve this issue amicably.
Highlighting the developmental activities, Nienu maintained that DUDA is being created in 2003, to take care of the needs of the backward tribes, 4 new districts were introduced where 3 districts were awarded to backward people, the creation of BDO Blocks where 70 % were given to the backward people, 1011 crores given to DUDA, more than 60 departments has their own share but only criticism is heard, “We need a paradigm shift in our attitude, approach, behavior and be more accommodative”. The minister also provoked the minds of the backward people, not to rely on sympathy and grace marks neither to wait for the rest of the advanced tribes to come to the rescue and appealed for hard labor with the good educational institutions and to be a part of the advanced tribes.
MLA & advisor DUDA, E.E Pangteang in his speech said the grievances of the eastern areas were not met for the last 48 years, neither a platform was provided to discuss in a public place and cautioned as to why the issues is being brought to light only today. Stating that emotional talks will not help as ground reality is seen enough be it discrimination, injustice or transparency. The MLA also said those who come out in merit list should not be included in the reservation quota. He also said since the ENPO has already come up with the separate statehood demands, he urged to the august house to solve the issue amicably and not emotionally.
Reacting on the Special Recruitment Drive (SRD), Pangteang also said that oppositions meted out by the advance tribes has clearly shown the discrimination and injustice and that bureaucrats, technocrats, concern ministers/parliamentary secretaries should take equal responsibility.
Minister power, Doshehe said owing to failure of equilibrium of socio economic development by successive government has resulted to the demand of separate statehood. He said thorns was placed below the policy, approach was underestimated adding the memorandum submitted by the ENPO was not because the ENPO is against the state government or any individual neither was it on instigation deeming the status and position and expression of the ENPO.
The power minister said the state government does not have the authority to grant statehood and also cannot provide what is not available. He maintained that the state government proposal on autonomous council is to have two-tyre approach for socio economic development in the 4 districts so that the Eastern Nagas can come out of at the home ground reality and also called upon the Eastern Nagas to come together and create better future so that “younger generation won’t blame us”, he added.
Parliamentary Secretary, fisheries, Relief & Rehabilitation printing & Stationeries, S. Heno said the backward people didn’t become backward of their own and said “instead of threatening us, do what is best for us”. Expressing his displeasure, Parliamentary Secretary CAWD Torechu said lack of implementation on special package has led the demand of separate statehood. Minister Planning & Co-ordination, Evaluation, Vety & AH, T.R. Zeliang said the survey report on backward remains the ground reality of the frustration meted out by the ENPO which is true, and that there should not be jealousy between the backward and the advance tribes.
Citing on the SRD, the minister said the due to the fewer representatives in the administration, the SRD was created yet the advance tribe has come out hue and cry and the recruitment drive was not allowed. He said any package that says ‘special’ should be understood as special programmes were designed to take care of the backward tribes adding that wrong address from the officers should not be there and urged the government, be it opposition or ruling, bureaucrats to think over as anything done wrong can be redressed by changing the minds of the people.
He also appealed for proper implementation of special programmes and opined that separate cell should be created to see all the programmes meant for backwards tribes are utilized judiciously.
The minister also requested the ENPO to withdraw their demand on and to stand together for integration.
Rio on Naga Political dialogue
Chief Minister, Nagaland Neiphiu Rio said the political dialogue between the government of India and the NSCN (IM) has been going on for past many years since ceasefire agreement was signed between the Government of India and NSCN (IM) from 1997. Responding to a starred question, Rio said, the state government is not a party to the political dialogue and therefore it is not privy to the progress or otherwise of the political negotiation for settlement of Naga political problem between the NSCN (IM) and the government of India representatives.
18 wards under MMC since 2009
Minister Urban Development said that the number of wards under Mokokchung Municipal Council has been increased from 15 to 18 since 2009 and the notification has been kept abeyance because as per the rule 3 of Nagaland Municipal (Delimitation of wards) Rules 2003, Municipal councils and 16 Town councils in Nagaland state shall become necessary only after the 2011 census is completed as notified by the Government of India in the National Gazette. Replying to a starred question on the creation of new three wards namely Marepkong ward, Mongsenphai and Lijabalijen ward the minister said the creation of Ward No. 16, 17 and 18 under the Mokokchung Municipal Council 2009 was premature and not in accordance to the rules and thereby the notification creating the new wards concerned under the Mokokchung Municipal Council was kept in abeyance till such time the 2011 census is finalized.
Recruitment under vigilance commission
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the 26+2 posts created under Vigilance Commission in 2010, 18 posts of various categories were utilized for promotion/regularization of existing contract appointees while the remaining 10 posts of various categories were advertised for direct recruitment.
On being queried whether the state vigilance commission is an autonomous body, the chief minister said the recruitment for the post of SI fell within the purview of NPSC after the last revision of pay being above the cut-off scale of Rs. 4125-6475 per month, while in order for the vigilance commission to recruit SIs as it was done earlier, a change of policy was also required. Rio added that the process for recruitment was initiated by vigilance commission before the change could be affected and the delegation of authority made to vigilance commission and besides the advertisement was issued only in one local newspaper that did not have adequate coverage. He said the interview had to be therefore, cancelled as any other course may have led to a legal infirmity.
Cricket Stadium at Sovima by 2015
Parliamentary secretary, youth resource and sports, Naiba Konyak said that the phase one construction of cricket stadium at Sovima village was completed on 2/9/2011 while the second phase will be completed by 2015. Responding to a starred question, the parliamentary secretary said the total amount involved in the construction with all amenities is Rs. 72.59 crore while Rs. 7.63 crore is being paid and Rs. 66.35 lakhs is due to pay to the contractors.
