Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 15
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said that the agriculture and allied sector in the state is facing a grave situation of failed crops and poor yield due to the delayed rainfall and drop of 37.1% in the average rainfall. This is the lowest in the past five years.
“Under such circumstances, normal agricultural activities have been adversely affected and in view of the prevailing conditions, the state government has declared a drought-like situation,” Rio said in his address at Independence Day celebration here. He said that as a first step, district-level and state-level tasks forces have been set up to make in-depth studies and work out actions plans. The state government has taken up with the Government of India a plea for assistance to affected farmers.
On the social welfare sector, Rio said that during 2009 – 2010, the state government will provide Old Age Pension to 40,462 senior citizens aged 65 years or higher at Rs. 300 per pensioner per month by pooling together the central scheme and the state schemes.
Two new schemes – Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme will also be implemented from 2009-2010 onwards.
“This will benefit 200 widows and 621 severely physically disabled people,” he said. The government is also contemplating extended benefits to senior citizens of the state involving concessions of free travel in state government transport and preferential medical treatment among others, the chief minister said.
Further, the chief minister said that the existing 56 ICDS projects, 3 new ICDS projects have been sanctioned by the government of India at Nsong and Athibung under Peren district and Asuto under Zunheboto district. They are expected to be established shortly, Rio said. Besides, 261 additional Anganwadi centers have also been sanctioned during 2009 – 2010 by the Ministry of Women & Child Development for coverage of more needy beneficiaries under ICDS programme, he said.
Neiphiu Rio said that the government continues to implement several developmental programmes through direct participation of the village communities. Many VDBs now maintain their own community buses and multipurpose buildings, contributing to improvement of economic status of the rural people, the chief minister said. They have started functioning as financial intermediaries to promote micro-financing activities in the villages, the chief minister said. During 2008 – 2009, 485 villages were covered under this scheme. 24 newly recognized villages are also expected to be covered during 2009 – 2010.
