CM takes note of depts not receiving funds from Centre
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 30
Chief Minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu today said that he had taken note of a request from a member of the House to judiciously look into the needs of those departments that do not receive funds from the central government.
The issue was raised by Parliamentary Secretary for Jails and Science & Technology Hukavi Zhimomi during the general discussion on budget.
“I agree that within the limited resources available at our disposal, we do need to provide adequate funds to such departments to enable them to function in a reasonable manner,” the chief minister said.
He however, clarified that budgetary allocations are made proportionate to the activities of the departments. “Nevertheless, the concerns raised have been noted.”
Recalling his budget speech on changed financial dynamics following the doing away of the Planning Commission of India, which has been replaced by NITI Aayog, Dr. Liezietsu said “Following this change, the resources at our disposal for developmental activities has drastically reduced, and despite the increased allocation of resources by the 14th Finance Commission, we continue to remain a revenue deficit state. As a result we are faced with less funds for our priority developmental needs.”
During the current financial year, the state has managed to access as on date (After budget presentation) about Rs. 1900 crore under CSS programmes – the highest accessed so far, he said.
Dr. Liezietsu urged all the members of the House to closely work with the departments under their charge to maximize the impact of the developmental funds being received for the benefit of the public.
Answering on Langka bridge raised by Parliamentary Secretary for Municipal Affairs R. Tohanba during general discussion on budget, Dr. Liezietsu clarified that NABARD could not take up the project as the prescribed approval processes were not completed.
Disclosing that an amount of Rs. 3000 lakhs has been allocated for the same bridge in the revised estimates for 2016-17, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that work will commence shortly.
Regarding the launch of Personal Information Management System (PIMS) to monitor the size of the work force better, he said at the administrative level, the Post Creation and Upgradation Committee has been converted into the Manpower Rationalization Committee with a wider mandate of making recommendations about right sizing of manpower in various departments.
On the need to open banks in all RD Block of the state raised by Minister for School Education & SCERT Yitachu, Dr. Liezietsu said, “This is indeed a pressing requirement.”
Also stating that Direct Benefits Transfer Scheme is being put in place, he said “Unless the banking system is put in place, the rural people will not be able to gain access to the benefits of welfare schemes.”
Dr. Liezietsu assured that he will take up the matter with the central government to issue appropriate instructions to the top management of the banks so that arrangements to set up bank branches are made without further delay.
IFAD project on fostering climate smart highland agriculture to start by April, 2018
Chief Minister Dr. Liezietsu also informed that the project for “Fostering Climate Smart Highland Agriculture in rural areas of Nagaland” under the Externally Aided Project scheme, with funding from the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) will start during the month of April 2018, and will continue for 6 years.
The funding pattern is 90% outright grant and 10% will be loan component, said Dr. Liezietsu in his reply after general discussion on the budget.
He said that IFAD funding for foresting highland farming in Nagaland is a project that is focused on mitigating the present jhum cultivation in the state.
“This will help to increase the jhum cycle. The project will continue to focus on traditional crops that will be market oriented,” he said adding that IFAD project is essentially also a livelihood programme with the ultimate aim of addressing climate adaptation, environment protection and enhancing climate resilience.
The tentative amount of the IFAD loan is US $ 35 million, which work out to Rs. 237.83 crores approximately.
On Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project in the forestry sector with an overall cost of Rs. 533 crores, he said this project had also been considered in the past during 2010 for sanction by JICA and the Union Finance Ministry.
However, owing to the adverse law and order situation in the north east region including Nagaland, JICA backed out at the last moment.
“I am happy that the Japanese Government has now decided to go ahead with the project. The formal signing of the project agreement is scheduled for 31st March 2017 between the Government of India and Japan at New Delhi,” he said.
The project is being funded in the pattern of 90% grant and 10% state share.
“This project has the potential of transforming our landscape and addressing rural livelihood issues,” he said.
