Kohima, March 26 (MExN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said the Political Affairs Committee of DAN which was set up by the state government has contacted and talked to various Naga nationalist groups with the view to persuading them to sink their differences and to unite for the Naga political cause. In his written reply to a starred question raised by Opposition Leader Tokheho Yepthomi on floor the House today, the Chief Minister said this was done so that the political dialogue with the Government of India can be further strengthened and expedited. Asked on how far the state government has facilitated the ongoing political dialogue as responsible government, Rio said the state government has also facilitated the formation of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Naga political issue with the purpose of working for the unity of the Naga of the Naga nationalist groups and strengthening the Naga political issue.
Besides, he reminded, DAN Government had also taken a decision to make way any alternative government that may be necessitated by the peaceful and satisfactory resolution of the Naga political issue. Asked on the progress of the Naga political talks between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India, the Chief Minister said as the state government is not a party to the political talks between the two, it is not in a position to state on the progress of the political talks.
Earlier in his budget speech, the Chief Minister had stated that the Naga political issue will remain at the top of the agenda of the DAN Government. Further, reminding that the Joint Legislators Forum (JLF) was formed with the objective to take the collective responsibility of facilitating the Naga peace process, he had commended all the members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, particularly the members of the Opposition, for rising above party considerations towards this endeavour.
10 GHS upgraded to GHSS from 2008-2011
Minister for school education Nyeiwang Konyak today stated that ten Government High Schools have been upgraded to that of Higher Secondary School in the state from 2008 to 2011. Replying this to MLA Tokheho, the minister furnished the detail list of upgraded school as – GHSS Aghunato, GHSS Seikhazou, GHSS Kiphire, GHSS Longleng, GHSS Peren (Science Stream), GHSS Meluri, GHSS Aboi, GHSS Tizit, GHSS Thangjam and GHSS Tuli. In another starred question, parliamentary secretary for rural development and REPA S. Pangnyu Phom stated that five districts are availing the fund under Backward Regions Grant Fund in the state. The districts include Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire, Longleng and Wokha. He was replying this to MLA Langpha Konyak. On being as whether the department is proposing to cover all 11 districts under BRGF, the parliamentary secretary stated that the department had already sent a proposal to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India to cover the remaining districts of the state. Replying to MLA Joshu Sumi in another starred question, the parliamentary secretary said the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) programme will be launched during 2011-12 in the state.
On being asked about the status of the programme, Pangnyu said that constitution of core group, formation of executive committee, finalization of draft bye-laws and registration of the State Rural Livelihoods Mission are under progress as per guidelines. As asked by Joshua to lay the guidelines in the House in the next 2/3 days, the parliamentary secretary gave assurance to do the same in the next session.
Around 3900 govt. employees retired from Oct 2009 till date
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today told the House that around 3900 government employees have retired from service from October 31 2009 till date. Replying to Congress MLAs Joshua Sumi and S.I. Jamir in the floor of the House whether pension benefits have been paid to all the employees who had retired, Rio said all the retired employees have not received pension benefits. He added that there has been some delays at various stages, such as in submission of the required documents by the retired employees, delay in processing the papers in the directorates and the secretariat and in the office of the Accountant General, who is the authority to issue pension payment orders. On being asked the reason why pension benefits have been withheld for such lengthy/long period, Rio replied that the government is not aware of any case of deliberate withholding of pension case. Delays are there for the reasons above, Rio said adding “if any case of deliberate withholding of pension is brought to the notice of the government, necessary action can be taken to expedite the matter.” After reply made by Chief Minister, Joshua again expressed concern over those retired employees who are yet to receive pension benefits and facing problems, who had rendered their service throughout their life. He requested the government to instruct the concerned departments to expedite the matter and release the pension benefits.
Dzukou Valley approach road completed
To a supplementary query put up by MLA K.V. Pusa on the ongoing progress of work with regard to construction of footpath at Dzükou valley approach road, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Yitachu replied that construction of the same has been completed with an estimated cost of ` 85.48 lakhs. He further informed the house that so far an amount of ` 68.38 lakhs had been released by the Government of India. ‘As per tourism policy 80% of money is released as advance and the remaining 20% will be released only after two years and this policy is practiced in the Ministry for the whole country replied Yitachu, when queried on the reason for the remaining amount by MLA K.V. Pusa.
Patton on MI project at Khaibung
Replying to a starred question raised by MLA S.I. Jamir on MI Project at Khaibung under Chathe River, Parliamentary Secretary for Irrigation & Flood Control Y. Patton replied that the total amount sanctioned for the project is ` 157.98 lakhs. On the enquiry about the allocation of the work, he replied that the work was allocated to President of Water User Association (WUA) of the project T. Haolia of Khaibung village. He informed the house that, the project was completed during the monsoon season 2009-10. However, upstream wing wall of the weir were damaged due to flash flood right after the completion of the project during 2009-10 and towards this end, the Parliamentary Secretary informed the house that the department has already directed the contractor to repair the damaged wall before the onset of monsoon.
(with inputs from DIPR)
Besides, he reminded, DAN Government had also taken a decision to make way any alternative government that may be necessitated by the peaceful and satisfactory resolution of the Naga political issue. Asked on the progress of the Naga political talks between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India, the Chief Minister said as the state government is not a party to the political talks between the two, it is not in a position to state on the progress of the political talks.
Earlier in his budget speech, the Chief Minister had stated that the Naga political issue will remain at the top of the agenda of the DAN Government. Further, reminding that the Joint Legislators Forum (JLF) was formed with the objective to take the collective responsibility of facilitating the Naga peace process, he had commended all the members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, particularly the members of the Opposition, for rising above party considerations towards this endeavour.
10 GHS upgraded to GHSS from 2008-2011
Minister for school education Nyeiwang Konyak today stated that ten Government High Schools have been upgraded to that of Higher Secondary School in the state from 2008 to 2011. Replying this to MLA Tokheho, the minister furnished the detail list of upgraded school as – GHSS Aghunato, GHSS Seikhazou, GHSS Kiphire, GHSS Longleng, GHSS Peren (Science Stream), GHSS Meluri, GHSS Aboi, GHSS Tizit, GHSS Thangjam and GHSS Tuli. In another starred question, parliamentary secretary for rural development and REPA S. Pangnyu Phom stated that five districts are availing the fund under Backward Regions Grant Fund in the state. The districts include Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire, Longleng and Wokha. He was replying this to MLA Langpha Konyak. On being as whether the department is proposing to cover all 11 districts under BRGF, the parliamentary secretary stated that the department had already sent a proposal to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India to cover the remaining districts of the state. Replying to MLA Joshu Sumi in another starred question, the parliamentary secretary said the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) programme will be launched during 2011-12 in the state.
On being asked about the status of the programme, Pangnyu said that constitution of core group, formation of executive committee, finalization of draft bye-laws and registration of the State Rural Livelihoods Mission are under progress as per guidelines. As asked by Joshua to lay the guidelines in the House in the next 2/3 days, the parliamentary secretary gave assurance to do the same in the next session.
Around 3900 govt. employees retired from Oct 2009 till date
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today told the House that around 3900 government employees have retired from service from October 31 2009 till date. Replying to Congress MLAs Joshua Sumi and S.I. Jamir in the floor of the House whether pension benefits have been paid to all the employees who had retired, Rio said all the retired employees have not received pension benefits. He added that there has been some delays at various stages, such as in submission of the required documents by the retired employees, delay in processing the papers in the directorates and the secretariat and in the office of the Accountant General, who is the authority to issue pension payment orders. On being asked the reason why pension benefits have been withheld for such lengthy/long period, Rio replied that the government is not aware of any case of deliberate withholding of pension case. Delays are there for the reasons above, Rio said adding “if any case of deliberate withholding of pension is brought to the notice of the government, necessary action can be taken to expedite the matter.” After reply made by Chief Minister, Joshua again expressed concern over those retired employees who are yet to receive pension benefits and facing problems, who had rendered their service throughout their life. He requested the government to instruct the concerned departments to expedite the matter and release the pension benefits.
Dzukou Valley approach road completed
To a supplementary query put up by MLA K.V. Pusa on the ongoing progress of work with regard to construction of footpath at Dzükou valley approach road, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Yitachu replied that construction of the same has been completed with an estimated cost of ` 85.48 lakhs. He further informed the house that so far an amount of ` 68.38 lakhs had been released by the Government of India. ‘As per tourism policy 80% of money is released as advance and the remaining 20% will be released only after two years and this policy is practiced in the Ministry for the whole country replied Yitachu, when queried on the reason for the remaining amount by MLA K.V. Pusa.
Patton on MI project at Khaibung
Replying to a starred question raised by MLA S.I. Jamir on MI Project at Khaibung under Chathe River, Parliamentary Secretary for Irrigation & Flood Control Y. Patton replied that the total amount sanctioned for the project is ` 157.98 lakhs. On the enquiry about the allocation of the work, he replied that the work was allocated to President of Water User Association (WUA) of the project T. Haolia of Khaibung village. He informed the house that, the project was completed during the monsoon season 2009-10. However, upstream wing wall of the weir were damaged due to flash flood right after the completion of the project during 2009-10 and towards this end, the Parliamentary Secretary informed the house that the department has already directed the contractor to repair the damaged wall before the onset of monsoon.
(with inputs from DIPR)
