Funding under Special Plan Assistance discontinued, informs Patton
Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 3
Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister (Dy CM) Y Patton informed members of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly that construction works at the Trans Nagaland Highway, popularly known as the Foothill Road, have stopped as funding under the Special Plan Assistance (SPA) has been discontinued.
However, construction of a 2-lane RCC bridge over Doyang River near Governor's camp is in progress, Patton said while replying to a starred question posed by MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu on the floor of the House.
Patton, who is also the Minister in-charge of Roads and Bridges, informed that the State has made a proposal to the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways to declare the road as a National Highway to take up the project under National Highways.
The decision by MoRTH is still pending, the Dy CM added.
MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu stated that the Foothill Road is going to be the lifeline of almost 60% of Nagas and is going to serve as an economic and inter-state economic progress. In this regard, he requested the department and the government to sincerely pursue the road construction.
Meanwhile, on the status of the border dispute with Assam, Chief Minister (CM) Neiphiu Rio informed that the Nagaland government is in constant touch with its counterpart in Assam and both sides have withdrawn its police forces from the disputed area, as agreed upon.
The CM was replying to a starred question raised by MLA Chumben Murry.
Status of Phek DC office complex
Replying to MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu's starred question on status of Phek DC's office complex, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is also minister in charge of CAWD stated that 93% of the works has been completed and that the work is still going on.
Nienu pushed for completion of works by next year stating that Phek town would be celebrating its golden jubilee in 2023.
Minister for Planning & Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs Neiba Kronu also informed that an amount of Rs 1 crore has been earmarked for the project during 2020-21.
The total revised project cost is Rs 972.46 lakh, and total amount allocated for the work up to date is Rs 555.65 lakh. Payment made till date is Rs 557.41 lakh and the balance amount yet to be paid is Rs 316.81 lakh.
In reply to the starred question raised by Dr Chotisuh Sazo, MLA about the details of Medical Centres in Chozuba, Minister, Health & Family Welfare, Pangnyu Phom replied that there are 37 posts sanctioned against CHC Chozuba including two posts of Medical Officer, and all the posts, except one post each of Staff Nurse and Sweeper have been filled. He added that officers/staff have not been appointed against Trauma Centre, Chozuba since no separate posts were approved for appointment under the scheme for establishment of the same.
Work activities at KSC
Replying to MLA Keneizhakho Nakhro, Minister for Higher Education Temjen Imna Along informed that during financial year 2019- 2020, the construction of academic building (Ground Floor) at Kohima Science College was taken up with an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore.
Under RUSA 1.0 infrastructure Grants to Colleges Component, the department of higher education has completed the upgradation of 1 library building at Kohima Science College Jotsoma, it was informed.
The total approved cost of the project was Rs 2 crore and the building has been completed and is in use by the college.
On the ongoing construction project, the Minister stated that under RUSA 2.0 Equity Initiative Component, the department of higher education is constructing one ST Girls Hostel and one Girls Hostel for Research Scholars at Kohima Science College Jotsoma.
The approved total cost of the project is Rs5 crore, the Minister informed.
Employees under R&B, housing
There are 1,682 Sectional Assistants under the Roads & Bridges department in the State as per Dy CM Y Patton’s reply to the question raised by MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu.
Out of this, 1452 are regular employees while 230 are work charge employees.
In the Housing department, there are 589 Sectional Assistants, out of which 495 are regular employees and 94 work charge.
