Nursing Council Bill, Appropriation Acts Bill, Cooperative Societies Bill introduced
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 23
The 15th session of 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) today introduced three government bills – Nagaland Nursing Council Bill 2017, Nagaland Appropriation Acts (Repeal) Bill 2017, and Nagaland Cooperative Societies Bill 2017.
The Nagaland Cooperative Societies Bill 2017 was moved by Chief Minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu. This bill is to consolidate and amend the law relating to cooperative societies within the territorial limit of the state of Nagaland, to facilitate the voluntary formation and democratic functioning of cooperative societies as people’s institution based on Self-Help, Mutual Aid and Sound Business principles and, to enable its members to promote their economic needs so as to bring about higher standard of living for social betterment. The bill is also to repeal the Assam Co-operative Societies Act, 1949, which has been operative in the state from its inception till date.
The Nagaland Appropriation Acts (Repeal) Bill, 2017, also moved by Dr. Liezietsu, aims to repeal obsolete and redundant laws that were enacted by Parliament during President’s Rule in the state, and which have become irrelevant or dysfunctional, and the State Legislature has the competent power to amend or repeal those Acts.
Minister for Health & Family Welfare P. Longon, who moved the Nagaland Nursing Council Bill 2017, stated it is felt expedient to establish a Nursing Council Act to superintend over various categories of nursing personnel and its institutions with powers to recognize, register, laying down norms and standards for various courses and trainings, uniform curriculum, physical and infrastructure facilities, staffing pattern and staff qualities, quality instruction, assessments and examination system,
“In the recent years, there has been rapid growth of private Nursing institutions in the state. There is no regulation by any professional body over the nursing personnel,” Longon stated. Meanwhile, NLA speaker Dr. Imtiwapang Aier informed the House that the consideration and adoption of the three Bills will be taken up on March 28.
F&ES responds to 117 fire calls, save property worth Rs. 3294.66 lakhs
From April 2016 till date, Department of Fire & Emergency Services has responded to various categories of 117 fire calls and saved property worth about Rs. 3294.66 lakhs. This was stated in the annual administrative report 2016-17 of Home Department tabled in the floor of the House today by Home Minister Y. Patton. The report stated that the estimated property lost is about Rs. 622.86 lakhs.
68,504 applicants on live register of employment exchanges
Altogether, 68,504 applicants (47,646 males, 20,858 females) remain on the live register of employment exchanges in Nagaland as on December 31, 2016. This was stated in the annual administrative report 2016-17 of Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship department tabled by Chief Minister Dr. Shürhozelie Leizietsu on the floor of the House. Out of the 68,504, post graduates constitute 3,845, graduates- 18,391, pre-university- 11,926, matriculate- 11, 844, below metric- 20,830, degree (Ttech)- 993, and diploma- 675.
Hornbill Festival 2016 registers 1,12,604 tourists
Despite the demonetization and cash crunch, the annual Hornbill Festival 2016 registered a total of 1,12,604 tourists – 1,646 foreign, 14,962 domestic and 95, 996 local tourists, according to annual administrative report 2016-17 of Tourism department tabled on the floor of the House by Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism C. Apok Jamir.
In the year 2017, the report stated, the department will continue to strive to promote tourism in the state, develop infrastructural facilities in the un-tapped and remote regions of Nagaland, thereby creating a platform for them to benefit from the vast tourism opportunities available and make Nagaland a “Tourist Destination.” The budget provision of tourism during 2016-17 stands at Rs. 2990.27 lakhs.
State has potential to develop rubber plantation in 4.60 lakh hectares
As per Land Resources department’s estimate, Nagaland state has the overall potential to develop rubber plantation in 4.60 lakh hectares.
The annual administrative report 2016-17 of Land Resources department tabled on the floor of the House further stated that the department is taking up rubber plantation on a large scale in the state in view of the high potential and people’s demand.
During 2016-17, an area of 300 ha have been developed bringing the total area of rubber plantation to about 18,000 ha. The department has also issued about 137 rubber rollers at 85% subsidized rate to rubber farmers in the state during 2016-17.
Meanwhile, the department has distributed 13.40 lakhs of coffee seedling to farmers covering an area of 670 ha. The report stated that coffee plantation has been developed by the department in collaboration with Coffee Board of India. Altogether, 920 ha has been developed spreading over all the 11 districts.
State welfare prog for PwDs
Under state welfare programme for Persons with Disabilities, disabled students from Class A to VIII are provided with scholarship of Rs. 200 per head per month. At present, this benefit is extended to 208 students, as per the annual administrative report 2016-17 of Social Welfare department tabled in the assembly today. The report also stated that financial assistance @ Rs. 200/- per month is provided to the needy persons with disabilities. Altogether, 2000 persons with disabilities are covered under this scheme. Meanwhile, 1625 totally blind persons are provided with financial assistance @ Rs. 200/- per month currently. The report also stated that National e-Scholarship portal for students with disability is implemented through the portal developed by the Department of Electronics & Information Technology from 2015-16. Under this scheme, Pre-Matric Scholarship, Post-Matric Scholarship and Merit Scholarship are given to PwD students belonging to SC, ST, OBC & minorities online.
Rs. 2000 lakh given under land compensation during 2016-17
During the financial year 2016-17, an amount of Rs. 2000 lakh was made available under land compensation and the amount was utilized for clearing of backlog proposals and acquiring 67.28 acres of land for various developmental works, according to the annual administrative report 2016-17 of Planning & Coordination department tabled on the floor of the House by Chief Minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu.
It includes acquisition of land for: Pfütsero Government College, installation of 20 MWA 66/11 KV Substation at Sovima, setting up of fire station at Bhandari Town, establishment of inter-state truck terminus at Kohima, 220 KV power line at Thahekhu village, forest department at Longchem, Mokokchung, establishing office of Superintendent of Police Mokokchung, police station at Athibung in Peren, establishment of 2nd NAP company at Wameken, Mokokchung, widening of Circular road at D. Block, Kohima, additional land for Mt. Tiyi College at Wokha, installation of 5 MVA 33/11 KV Sub Station at Pangti village, Wokha.
RD Minister calls for more ‘practical education’
Morung Express News
Kohima | March 23
Minister for Rural Development and REPA, CL John today expressed concern on the type of education being imparted and the unemployment scenario in Nagaland. He also emphasized the need for practical education.
Speaking at the ongoing NLA session, John stated: “We often talk about quality education but for me, practical education is more important, where the people can earn their own livelihood without asking from others.” The Minister stressed on the need to focus on education related to farming, rearing of animals, growing vegetables and fruits instead of earning mere degrees.
The degrees in the current system of education in Nagaland, according to the RD Minister, are not feeding the citizens. “We are only focusing on readymade education; that is why educated unemployed problems are increasing. We have so many doctorate degree holders, many of us are educated but without jobs. Let’s move towards practical education.”
He asked departments and educational institutions to teach the students how to farm, rear livestock etc. “There are vast acres of paddy fields in Dimapur, teach them how to farm and whoever produces the maximum number of harvest, give them the title of Grain Doctor. Give a Pig Doctor degree to whoever produces the maximum number of pigs,” said the Minister.
He further pointed out three factors draining the economy in the State—the Naga National factor, civil society/union/association factor and the vote factor.
“In order to do away with all these, let’s develop skill education, education that can provide work. Then the problem of unemployment will decrease. Degrees and qualifications will not fill our stomachs. If we are to tackle all these problem of backdoor appointments and corrupt practices, we have to emphasize on practical education,” he said.
To emphasize his point, the Minister stated: “We have a huge number of Doctors in this House. People might actually believe that we already have a Medical College. But I believe we have so much political sickness in Naga society. Since we have two Doctors as CM and Speaker, perhaps all our political sickness will be cured.”
