Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio presented the budget for year 2021-22 at the 7th Session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on February 18. (DIPR File Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 18
The Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio presented the budget for the year 2021-22 on February 18. Rio, the Minister incharge of Finance, presented the budget at the 7th Session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly where the State Developmental Outlay for various departments were highlighted.
Agriculture and Allied Sector: Rio stated that the Agri and Allied sector is going to be the most important aspect of our strategy towards achieving a self-sustaining economy.
The Government is working on an innovative model of cluster agri development called Naga Integrated Settled Farming (NISF). The first project has already started in Boke Botsa area and it will be taken to other districts also. Similar initiatives are also being taken up in other departments as well.
“My Government is establishing Farmer Markets in all the districts aimed at promoting local products, organic food and a chain that ensures farm to market, and farm to table links without the middlemen. We also aim to make them tourist attractions as the markets will also have space for traditional products, handlooms and handicrafts and food joints. The Government is also supporting entrepreneurs who have taken up enterprises that are aimed at home deliveries and online firms,” Rio said.
The Department of Agriculture has been provided an allocation of Rs 665 lakh. Of this Rs.300 lakh is earmarked for construction of 65 numbers of community agriculture farm roads.
Our State is looking forward to a healthy increase in food grain production. Against 7,48,870 MT in 2019-20, expected production during 2020-21 is 8,33,770 MT. This marks an increase of 11.33% over the previous year. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the department has distributed selected Kharif and Rabi seeds to the farmers on the basis of local needs.
To facilitate better market access to our indigenous produce the department is promoting the brand ‘Naturally Nagaland’ with standardized labelling and packaging, along with all necessary registrations, licenses and certifications. The State Government is undertaking programmes aimed at recharging and rejuvenating the dying springs for drinking and agricultural purposes. Interventions and inventories of springs are being carried out with community led actions.
Horticulture:The Department of Horticulture has been provided Rs 300 lakh. This includes Rs200 lakh earmarked for horti-Link roads and Rs100 lakh for other earmarked activities.
Under Mission Organic Value Chain for North Eastern Region the department will promote cultivation of dragon fruit in Dimapur, avocados in Kohima, apples in Kiphire, spices in Wokha, ginger in Mon and bananas in Mokokchung during 2021-22.
It will help farmers to aggregate and collectively market their produce and also create room for export. To revive the State’s economy post COVID-19 pandemic, the department is developing 100 vegetable villages for 10,000 households, strengthening post-harvest and value addition infrastructure for fruits and vegetables and promoting mushroom cultivation.
Sericulture: Department has been provided Rs 327.84 lakh. Of this Rs 177.84 lakh is earmarked for Farmers Development and Rs 100 lakh for Implementation of Silk Processing Unit
DoH&FW: The Department of Health and Family Welfare was provided Rs 604.90 lakh. Of this Rs.254.90 is earmarked for construction of a new ward at 11 NHAK and Rs 150 lakh for construction of 50 bedded District Hospital Kohima.
“We plan to apply for starting the Kohima Medical College from the academic year 2022-23 to the National Medical Commission. It will start initially with the NHAK as a Teaching Hospital,” CM stated.
Rio, who also holds finance portfolio further informed that the second medical college in Mon is expected to be functional by 2023-24 academic session.
Soil and Water Conservation: The Soil and Water Conservation Department has been provided Rs 340 lakh. Of this Rs 250 lakh is earmarked for Integrated Land Development and Rs 40 lakh for Soil Health Management.
The department has established Mini Soil Testing Laboratories in all the districts of the State. In addition one Fertilizer Quality Control Laboratory and Bio-Organic Quality Control Laboratory have been established in Dimapur district. These developments will positively impact productivity in the agri and allied sector.
The Department of Water Resources has been provided with Rs 200 lakh. Of this Rs 100 lakh is earmarked for water harvesting structure.
AV&HS: The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary has been provided Rs.350 lakh during 2021-22. Of this, Rs 300 lakh is earmarked for setting up three Model Piggery Farms. The Department of Fisheries has been provided Rs 350 lakh. Of this, Rs 250 lakh is earmarked for upgradation of eight Government Demonstration Fish Farms.
Forestry and Wildlife: The Department of Forestry and Wildlife has been provided Rs 200 lakh. It is presently taking up activities such as plantation, community development and income generation activities for Self Help Groups in 31 villages and community organizations in 60 villages under the Nagaland Forest Management Project. It is also engaged in activities for conservation of Doyang reservoir and providing alternative livelihood to villages in the Doyang catchment area, including conservation of Amur falcon and biodiversity in the State. The Department of Cooperation has been provided Rs 100 lakh.
Land Resources: The Department of Land Resources Development has been provided Rs 473.73 lakh. Of this, Rs 166.73 lakh is earmarked for purchase of 950 numbers of rubber sheet roller machines and Rs 207 lakh for maintenance of coffee plantations. Nagaland Coffee is emerging as a popular brand and our coffee is being exported to foreign countries. Promotion of Nagaland coffee by improving production, value addition and marketing is being undertaken. At present the State has 8997 hectares of coffee plantation and we have set a target to cover 50,000 hectares by 2030. We are also making efforts to promote natural tea in Nagaland and people are becoming aware of the health benefits of the different natural teas like roselle, cardamon, ginger, lemongrass, etc.
NBDA: The Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency has been provided with Rs 100 lakh for its activities. The Bio Resource and Aromatic Plant has been provided Rs100 lakh. The Bee and Honey Mission has been provided Rs 170 lakh and NEPED with Rs 75 lakh for hydrogers.
RD: The Department of Rural Development has been provided Rs 100 lakh. The State Institute of Rural Development has been provided Rs 240 lakh, of which Rs140 lakh is earmarked for construction of an Institute for Training and Research for Tribal Regions and Rs100 lakh for training and research activities.
Land Revenue: The Department of Land Revenue has been provided with Rs 326 lakh. Of this, Rs150 lakh is earmarked for upgradation of Surveyor Training Institute and digitalisation of online portal, Rs 100 lakh for construction of Revenue Office Kohima and other minor construction works.
Despite resource constraints, the State Government has been providing substantial funds for developmental activities in the Eastern Nagaland region.
DUDA: For the year 2021-22 also, an amount of Rs 21 crore has been provided for the Department of Under Developed Areas.
The department has formed 380 SHGs benefiting 11,400 households by elevating the livelihood of farmers and minor forest produce gatherers. Other key initiatives include launch of Mongken fashion, apparel and handicraft brand to create economic opportunities for skilled artisans, designers and craftsmen especially from the underdeveloped regions of the State and the ANGHYA brand. The products of Eastern Nagaland are being marketed under this label through outlets in Kohima, Dimapur and other metropolitan cities through the network of Tribes India under TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs. During 2021-22, the department will focus on livelihood, human resource development and infrastructure development activities in the backward areas.
Energy Sector: The sector has been provided a total allocation of Rs 1970 lakh. The Distribution and Revenue wing has been provided Rs770 lakh of which Rs 520 lakh is earmarked for village electrification. The department is focusing on construction of new power stations, expanding coverage of villages and habitations and improve transmission and distribution networks and reduce losses. The Transmission and Generation wing has been provided with Rs 800 lakh. Of this, Rs 500 lakh is for setting up 2.5 MW Hydro Electric Project at Duilumroi. Once completed, this will reduce the burden of power purchase costs.
The Department of New and Renewable Energy has been provided Rs 350 lakh. Of this Rs 250 lakh is earmarked for Power Plant at Ganeshnagar. The Electrical Inspectorate has been provided Rs 50 lakh for the Green Village Initiative.
Nagaland State Emporiums: To provide products from Nagaland access to a larger market, the Nagaland State Emporiums (NSEs) outside the State have been upgraded and various state agencies such as the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency, DUDA, Women Resources Department, Agri and Allied departments and Nagaland Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation have been given space in the NSEs under the marketing banner of “Naturally Nagaland”.
Rio said, "We are confident that this initiative will promote “Made in Nagaland” products to national and international markets."
Industries and Commerce: Department of Industries and Commerce has been provided Rs 350 lakh. Rs 100 lakh is earmarked for promotion of Entrepreneurship Start-up, Rs 100 lakh for training and Rs.100 for infrastructure development.
Geology and Mining: The Department has been provided Rs 200 lakh. Of this Rs 100 lakh is earmarked for stockyard/underground water tapping machines. The Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation has been provided Rs100 lakh for concrete block-making unit. The Department of Roads and Bridges has been provided Rs 3500 lakh. Of this Rs 2000 lakh is earmarked for improvement of roads and Rs 1500 lakh for State Road Development Programme. The Kohima and Dimapur city roads that were initiated during 2018-19 have been completed, and we are seeing the best roads that we have had in recent memory.
Mechanical Engineering: The Department of has been provided Rs 450 lakh for purchase of heavy machinery and Rs 200 lakh for purchase of dumper trucks.
Road Transport: A sum of Rs 461.86 lakh has been provided for the department. This includes construction of hangars, waiting halls and fencing at heliports at Lerie and Civil Secretariati in Kohima, Mon and Chümoukedima, and construction of General Manager’s quarter in Dimapur.
The Motor Vehicles Department has been provided with Rs 225.39 lakh. Of this, Rs 175.39 lakh is earmarked for construction of Regional Transport Officer’s Office cum Pollution Testing Centre at Mokokchung. To enhance revenue collection, the department has introduced fee for advance booking of vehicle registration number in the State at a cost of Rs 2000 per booking valid for a period of six months.
Science & Technology: The Department has been provided Rs 300 lakh. This includes Rs 200 lakh earmarked for purchase of equipment for the Lab and Planetarium. The Department of Information Technology and Communication has been provided with Rs 200 lakh. Of this, Rs. 100 lakh is earmarked for construction of staff quarters and guest house at the directorate complex.
Planning: The Planning and Coordination Department has been provided Rs 500 lakh. Under the Chief Minister’s Corpus Fund, the department has during 2020-21 sponsored Naga students to undergo training in skill development at Ishwarpuram Institute, Fugoan, Pune. During the pandemic lockdown financial assistance was provided to entrepreneurs to support home delivery services. Assistance was also extended to entrepreneurs and NGOs for undertaking various economic activities.
Food and Civil Supplies: The Department has been provided Rs 127.68 lakh for construction of office building and godown. The department has achieved 100% online allocation of food-grains up to the Fair Price Shops (FPSs) Level, including 100% supply chain management of food grains up to the FPSs level. Another significant initiative is the automation of Fair Price Shops Automation ePOS devices to enhance transparency in distribution of food grains. The real time status report of all these are now available on the department’s official website.
Legal Metrology and Consumer Protection: The Department has been provided Rs100 lakh. The Department of Evaluation has been provided Rs 309.58 lakh for construction of quarters and offices.
During 2021-22, the department will undertake studies on the implementation and impact of various State and Central programs. These studies provide an important tool for policy as well as decision making.
School & Higher Education: The Department of School Education has been provided Rs 769 lakh for construction of Government High Schools and DEO/SDEO offices in various districts.
The Department of Higher Education has been provided Rs 620 lakh. Of this, Rs 100 lakh is earmarked for NAAC accreditation and others for construction of academic buildings at various colleges and construction of staff quarters.
The Department of Technical Education has been provided Rs 100 lakh.
Youth Resources & Sports: The Department has been provided Rs790 lakh. Of this Rs 300 lakh is earmarked for capacity building for youth empowerment. The State Government has launched a Career & Employability Skill Development Program which is designed for students pursuing 12th standard in all Government Higher Secondary schools. In the arena of sports and games we are laying down the roadmap for a comprehensive Sports Vision of the State.
Rio said that funds will be earmarked for sports academies in prioritised disciplines to be established in collaboration with the sports federations, and local leagues will be launched to create a positive atmosphere of sports culture that will contribute to the economy and create gainful careers in the sports and related industry.
PHED & PWD Housing: The Department has been provided Rs 297.43 lakh. This is earmarked for construction of offices and various water supply projects.
The PWD Housing Department has been provided Rs 2241.41 lakh. This includes Rs 100 lakh for construction of Chief Information Commissioner’s office at Kohima, Rs 100 lakh for construction of Patient Guest House at Dibrugarh, Rs 100 lakh for construction of rental housing at Dimapur and Rs 100 lakh for construction of rest house at Dimapur. Others include construction of offices at various places throughout the State. The CAWD under General Administration has been provided Rs 1530.24 lakh. This is earmarked for construction of various offices, flats and improvement works in various locations all over the State.
Urban Development and Municipal Affairs: The Department of Urban Development has been provided Rs 350.16 lakh for construction of office at Kiphire, construction of P. Shilu Ao Memorial Park at Mokokchung and upgradation of marketing centre of Development Authority Nagaland.
The Department of Municipal Affairs has been provided with Rs 170 lakh for construction of quarters.
Home Guards & Excise: The Home Guards Department has been provided Rs 178.48 lakh for construction of office and infrastructure development at the Central Training Institute Dimapur. The Prisons Department has been provided Rs 408 lakh for construction of jails, barracks, offices and security walls in various districts. The Excise Department has been provided Rs 100 lakh for construction of staff building at Dimapur.
Social Welfare: The Department of Social Welfare has been provided Rs 200 lakh for construction of offices. The department has started door to door delivery of dry rations under Supplementary Nutrition Programme to all ICDS beneficiaries including pregnant and lactating mothers in view of the pandemic. It has also distributed hand washing kits, posters and hoardings on COVID-19 to all 3,980 Anganwadi Centres.
Tourism: The Department of Tourism has been provided with Rs 750 lakh. Of this Rs 450 lakh is earmarked for Hornbill Festival and Rs 250 lakh for Mini Hornbill Festivals. We are developing and upgrading home stays across the entire State so that the grassroots can benefit directly from the tourism economy, Rio said. New areas would be promotion adventure and sports tourism where sports events and tourism promotion will be linked, headded.
Rio also claimed that the Hornbill Festival is one of Nagaland’s biggest intellectual properties and is an economic booster. For a mere investments of a few crores, it generates an economic impact of close to a 100 crore, he said.
He also vowed that the 2021 edition of the Hornbill Festival will be organised as “the biggest ever event.” “We are also making significant investments in improving tourism infrastructure in different districts including the interior areas, he added.
Other Departments
The Department Women Resources has been provided Rs 250 lakh. Out of this Rs 100 lakh is earmarked for various activities of the department. Rs 150 lakh has been earmarked for Transformative Livelihood Intervention.
The Department Law and Justice has been provided Rs 330 lakh for construction of New High Court Complex and construction of multi complex for High Court Kohima Complex.
The Department of Labour has been provided Rs 115 lakh while the Department of Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has been provided Rs 100 lakh.
The Department of Printing and Stationery has been provided Rs 63.74 lakh for construction of quarters. The Administrative Training Institute has been provided Rs 50 lakh. An amount Rs 375 lakh has been provided for the Assembly Complex Project.
The Department of Fire Services has been provided Rs 300 lakh while Treasuries and Accounts got Rs 150.41 lakh for construction of staff quarters.
The Department of Border Affairs has been provided Rs 200 lakh for construction works while department of Parliamentary Affairs has been provided Rs 100 lakh for construction of staff quarters. The Taxes Department has been provided Rs 90.56 lakh for construction of staff quarters.
The Village Guards has been provided Rs 300 lakh for construction of training ground, for prefabrication infrastructure and firing range. The Election Department has been provided Rs 150 lakh for construction of warehouse for storage of EVMs and VVPATs. The Home Department has been provided Rs 150 lakh for the State Houses, and Rs 50 lakh for disaster management.
The Department of Tribal Affairs has been provided Rs 50 lakh for construction of directorate building and staff quarters. The Department of Minority Affairs has been provided Rs 75 lakh for various construction works in Dimapur area. The Department of Economics and Statistics has been provided Rs 343 lakh. This is earmarked for various construction works and for printing of statistical data.
To support the ideas and ambitions and innovations at all levels and in order to push employment generation, the government is keeping an amount of Rs 3400 lakh under the Innovative Programmes & Activities Initiative.
Note: This article has been updated to add more departments and related information.
