DIMAPUR, MAY 15 (MExN): Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio submitted a representation to Pranab Mukherjee, President of India at Kohima on May 14, a copy of which was made available to the local media. Stating that Nagaland was going to celebrate its Golden Jubilee with effect from December 1 and that it was the oldest State in the North-East, next to Assam, Rio lamented that no national institution/engineering college/technical institutes worth its name exists in the State till now. “Our students go out to mainland India and other North-East States in pursuit of higher education and jobs. But no one comes to Nagaland for education or job. This is not conducive to developing the sense of national integration.
Hence, the Honorable President may kindly use his good offices to see that the following pending proposals of the state lying with the Government of India are approved early,” Rio stated.
The pending proposals mentioned by the Chief Minister include a Medical College at Kohima, using the Naga Hospital as its base. A copy of the letter dated May 13, 2013, written to Union Health Minister, Ghulam Nadi Azad was also enclosed for the President’s reference.
Rio also mentioned that the state was yet to have a Veterinary College and a proposal for the same has been submitted to the Government of India. Further, the President was informed that a proposal for upgradation of the School of Agricultural Science and Rural Development under Nagaland University at Medziphema to a full-fledged University of Hill Agriculture and Technology has been forwarded to the Ministry of Agriculture.
The President of India was also reminded on the revival of the Tuli Paper Mill – which according to Rio had already been cleared by the PIB, and is awaiting approval of CCEA (Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs). Other proposals included construction of a Green Field Airport at Ciethu near Kohima, which is pending with the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
On the Indo-Naga political issue, Rio requested the Government of India to expedite the peace process and mentioned that the issue has been unresolved for six decades. “The Naga people desire for permanent peace through an honorable political settlement that is acceptable to the people,” Rio stated while adding that such a political solution will pave the way for development and progress and allow the younger generation to contribute in a greater manner towards the nation building process while strengthening India’s democratic foundations in this part of the country.
