Rajya Sabha MP defines his priorities

Chizkoho Vero Kohima | April 25   Nagaland Rajya Sabha MP elect K.G Kenye on Monday announced his priorities giving special focus on agri & allied sector, power, road, education, medical and the Naga political issue.   “Major portion of the Naga population live in the rural areas, and the mainstay of our people is agri-based, which is why I want to accord special attention to this area, Kenye said in an interview with The Morung Express. Rajya Sabha MP defines his priorities1 The Rajya Sabha MP said in order to strength our economy, more focus need to be given to agri & allied sector. “When we say our main occupation is agriculture, we depend on CPO rice from the Centre, which is shame,” he said. Expressing concern over the dependence on import of products from neighboring states, he felt that this was draining both the state’s economy as well as the health of the people.  

Asserting that the present government has already taken cognizance of the importance of agri & allied sector, Kenye said due focus would be given on promoting this sector so that even if there is no surplus at least sufficiency can be achieved to meet the requirement of the state.   Kenye said he will be approaching the Centre to make agriculture a thrust area by networking with concerned departments, integrating Centre’s nodal agency with state nodal agency and carry forward the programme at earnest.   Kenye further stressed on the need to develop the natural resources in the state. He said if public sector and private sector is allowed to participate, then a chain of small and median industries can come up on the basis of natural resources available.   He felt that with change of attitude among the landowners, proper industrial policy would usher in era of economy boom for the state.   On power sector, Kenye said until and unless Nagaland state have 24 hour uninterrupted power supply, one cannot think of bringing any kind of industries- small or medium. Even those individual entrepreneurs will never be able to compete with others, he said.   The newly elected MP felt that Nagas have been focusing too much on the ‘political aspect’ instead of leaving it to the leaders and nationalist groups.   “In our pursuit for a ‘settlement,’ we have forgotten other virtues of life, which are much more important in nation building,” he stated.  Lamenting that Nagas were once referred to as honest, hardworking, upright and brave, he said such moral values are slowly disappearing from the Naga society. “We have to re-discover our good qualities and virtues of life which our forefathers had,” he said.   Kenye pointed out that Naga political issue is certainly one of his main priority. The MP said that he stand by the party (NPF) principle in respect to the Naga political issue.