DIMAPUR, AUGUST 14 (MExN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expressed pain over the continued fratricidal killings taking place and said that such incidents were bound to ruin the State’s march towards a new era of development. “I therefore, sincerely appeal to all the factions to listen to the voices of the people, whom they claim to represent and desist from fratricidal bloodshed”, Rio said in a radio broadcast on the eve of the 59th anniversary of Independence Day.
While terming development as one of the most important agenda of the DAN government, the Chief Minister spelled out both the achievements as well as proposed initiatives to be taken up on the developmental front.
On Agriculture, Rio said that food production was expected to cross 5 lakh tonnes as against 4.2 lakh tones last year an increase of 28%. “We are diversifying into commercial crops. Tie-ups are being worked out with agricultural organizations in Israel”, Rio informed. For ecological balance and development, a Bio-diversity Board has been set up while forests in degraded and jhum areas are vigorously promoted, Rio said in his broadcast. Rio also informed of the paddy procurement policy of the government, assuring for the first time, a minimum support price for Naga farmers. Rio further added that the National Bamboo Mission was functioning in full swing while the fishery sector had assumed status of a leading economic activity in the State.
On the industrial front, the Chief Minister informed of the Tuli Paper Mill being revived and the new Mini Tool Room at Industrial Estate in Dimapur and also the Rs 13 crores released for handloom development projects.
“A MoU has been signed with the infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services for creating industrial infrastructure particularly in tourism and hotel industry”, Rio disclosed. He further informed that the Wazeho Cement Plant was being upgraded from 50 TPD to 150 TPD while in the Power sector; the Likimro Project under privatization was giving improved power supply to Phek, Kiphire and Tuensang. It was also informed that other power projects were coming up while Village Electricity Management Boards would soon start functioning in all villages to improve power supply to rural areas and to raise revenues for the State.
On Village Development Boards (VDBs), Rio informed that 421 villages and 21 blocks where banking facilities are totally absent will be provided with Rs 1 lakh of micro-credit per village to facilitate credit flow. Further new DRDAs have been set up in Kiphire, Longleng and Peren.
In the education sector, Rio in his address said that the government was focusing on improving the quality of education in the State particularly in the remotest areas. Three new DIS offices have been created in Niuland, Tobu and Chiephobozou while upgradation of Government High Schools in Chumukedima, Jalukie, Bhandari, Noklak, Niuland and Chozuba to Higher Secondary Schools is under process, Rio informed.
On the Medical sector, Rio informed that the Dimapur Referral Hospital is being operationalised soon in collaboration with the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research Society and also that better equipments and medical infrastructure was being deployed in Government hospitals.
Rio also took time to remember the young Naga boys of the Indian Reserve Battalion who saved the honour of the country by laying down their lives. “We salute those martyrs and congratulate the members of the battalion still in service for their courage and commitment to duty”, the Chief Minister said in his radio broadcast.
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