Opposition questions Gov’s address on Naga issue

Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 15 

The opposition today said that the Governor’s address on the first day of the ongoing Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) was misleading, particularly on the Naga political issue. 

Initiating the discussion on the motion of thanks on the Governor’s address at the Assembly today, NPF MLA, Imkong L Imchen said that the speech made by Governor RN Ravi on February 12 that “the negotiations going on between the Government of India and the Naga groups over the past many years have been concluded,” was misleading the House.

He asked in which way the negotiations have been concluded. I want reply from Chief Minister whether it is a fact or not, the MLA said.

Echoing similar views, opposition MLA Yitachu termed the Governor’s speech as “very disappointing.” He added that it did not offer any kind of enthusiasm or the “kind of message it should carry.”

The Chief Minister stated that sufficient time will be given to the members for discussion on the Naga issue at the assembly on February 16. 

Opposition members of the NLA meanwhile also addressed issues with regard to improvement of the overall healthcare infrastructure in Nagaland, road infrastructure, agri activities, electricity supply etc. 

Healthcare
MLA Yitachu, touching on manpower created in the health centers, lamented that this has not improved the health care system as doctors and nurses are not posted in the rural areas. 

Fellow opposition MLA Y Vikheho Swu said that COVID-19 is just an initial warning. Let us pragmatically begin upgrading our health services, he said.

“Nagaland today is fortunate to have well qualified health care workers. However, much to our dismay, our infrastructure stands extremely unfavourable to even carry out basic medical needs and procedures,” he rued. 

He lamented that this leads to negative substitution of services by healthcare workers. “They set up private clinics and hospitals to meet the needs of the public. Ultimately, the common people face the burn of unavailability of doctors, higher medical bills and undeniably - even deaths,” Swu said.

Leader of the Opposition, TR Zeliang said that the “so called achievement of the government in handling the pandemic is exaggerated.”

“If we look at the initial stage, we will see that the state government was unprepared and despite the assurance given in this August house that the government was fully prepared to tackle the virus, once positive cases were detected in the State, everything was in a state of confusion and chaos,” he said.

Health & Family Welfare Minister, S Pangnyu Phom in reply said that the government has taken all necessary infrastructure development, increased the number of doctors, nurses, technicians, scientists to fight COVID-19 resulting in low mortality rate in the State. 

He mentioned that infrastructure at District Hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and sub-centers have improved significantly and three BSL labs have been built at Kohima, Dimapur and Tuensang for COVID-19.

Agri activities
Yitachu meanwhile drew attention to look into the matter of the low rate of ginger wherein many gingers farmers in the state were losing at the moment. “We need to take up this issue,” he said. He urged the State Government to come forward and help channelize proper market for farmers.

Swu, touching on the agri sector as well, stated that Nagaland’s pride in agricultural productivity has been a humiliation in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also questioned on the distribution of tractors and machinery, asking: “Do those machines and equipments actually reach the needy ones or to the leisure farming gimmicks? Friends and family or party workers in lieu of votes?”

Road
With regard to road and infrastructure, MLA Y Vikheho Swu said that the completion and inauguration in road sector is not an accomplishment to be celebrated.

“Most of the PDA completion and inauguration are mostly the works initiated by us, the NPF DAN led government. There is no real pride in wearing someone else’s feather in your cap,” he said. He claimed that the present PDA government has not even subscribed “our due share for the improvement of Nagaland’s failing roads.”

On declaration of several National Highways by the Government of India, the MLA demanded that the concerned department start executing the process without any further delay. 

MLA Amenba Yaden stressed on the need to take up the Foothill Road with seriousness as it would benefit six to seven districts. 

Zeliang meanwhile said that the road from New Field check gate to Purana bazaar is not done as per specification.

“While the sanction was for total reconstruction of the road, the work done on this stretch is just on top of the existing road and the work is unsatisfactory,” he said.

He further informed that there is still no drainage constructed just adjacent to the ARTC 3rd Mile.

“Therefore the speech delivered by the Governor on February 12 stating that road from New Field Check Gate to Chümoukedima has been completed satisfactorily, is misleading without knowing the ground reality,” Zeliang said.

Power
The state of electricity supply was another issue taken up by the opposition, with Swu lamenting that 90% of Nagaland’s power consumption is imported from outside the state of Nagaland. He said the country is moving ahead while “we are still here discussing the fact that we just don’t have the infrastructure to even generate our own electricity.”

He informed that the Dikhu HEP and Tizu-Zungki HEP alone have the potential to provide more than 200 MW of power, which is more than self sufficiency levels of 175 MW. From the available data, he said, the State spends more than Rs. 300 crores annually on purchase of power. The revenue realised is staggeringly low i.e. Rs. 150 Crores.

On this issue, Nagaland Chief Minsiter, Neiphiu Rio said that the government is unable to complete hydro power projects in the State due to land owner issues. In terms of revenue loss due to unwillingness of consumers to pay, he said the government plans to outsource meter reading and revenue collection. 

The Chief Minister, in his concluding remarks, appreciated all participants in the debate for their contributions and said that the points they raised would be noted. He said that COVID-19 took the world by surprise and no one was prepared.

He admitted some mishaps in handling the pandemic during the initial stage. The CM however lauded the State’s response with the coordinated action of healthcare workers, NGOs, churches, frontline workers and various government agencies. 

Ministers Metsubo Jamir, Advisor Dr Neikiesalie Kire, Minister Kashiho Sangtam and M Yollow Konyak also took part in the debate.