DIMAPUR, June 2 (MExN): Nagaland State Governor PB Acharya addressing the recently held 66th Plenary of North Eastern Council (NEC) in New Delhi stressed on the need to develop industry and human resource in the North East, while also pointing to specific development projects.
As per press note from the PRO to the Governor, he briefed the gathering on the initiatives undertaken by him towards preservation and protection of indigenous tribal culture, tribal scripts, rituals and identity. The Governor urged the members present to consider the proposal of renaming the council as NAMASTE, as the acronym includes the names of all the North Eastern States.
Informing the meeting on the setting up of the Medical College in Nagaland, Acharya said that the Nagaland government has acquired 40.251 acres of land at Phriebagie, Kohima and the project comprises of Administrative block, Academic, Hostel complex for students and residential complex of faculty. He said the Ministry of Health & FW under the scheme for up-gradation of District Hospital to New Medical College approved to provide one time grant of Rs 189.00 crores.
The GoI has already released Rs 52.50 crore and construction works have started. 500 bedded hospital alongwith staff quarters and equipment are proposed under NEC with an estimated cost of Rs 500 crore. Presenting the breakup of the project cost, the Governor said Rs 233.76 crore was for the 500 bedded Teaching Hospital along with staff quarters and Rs 266.24 crore for equipments.
Stating that Private Public Partnership has to be encouraged for positive participation in the field of Education, Health, Agriculture Sector etc, the Governor informed that the Medical Science University of Mangalore, Nitte University have offered their full support to be partner under Private Public Partnership for the State’s new Medical College.
Meanwhile, the Governor appreciated the GoI for allowing Air India and Indigo flights from Dimapur to Delhi via Kolkata. However, he urged Air India to operate flights 7 days a week from Dimapur to Delhi from the present 6 days a week. He also said that currently, there were no flights from Dimapur connecting to Guwahati/Imphal and requested NEC to take up with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to include Dimapur in the Guwahati-Imphal route.
He also spoke on the importance of skill development in the region, stating there is huge potential to reap the demographic dividend provided there is focused policy action. The Governor further requested NEC to bring into its ambit the role for promotion of organic farming in the region and brand “Make in Northeast”. In this regard, he suggested that NEC draw up a suitable scheme to emulate the success of Sikkim in the field of organic farming.
Acharya also felt that to put in practice the Act East Policy, the Regional Plan of NEC has identified only flight connectivity and stated that besides air connectivity, road and rail connection between India and South East Asian countries are equally important. He also called on to take opportunity of the India-Japan strategic partnership.
Regarding sports, Acharya informed that on the basis of NEC’s Regional Plan, Nagaland proposes for setting up of Dr. T Ao Football Academy to tap the football talents in the region. He also stressed on the need to harness the state’s skills in handlooms, handicrafts and textile products, so that these products can be exported.
He mentioned that the State has submitted several proposals under various schemes of the Ministry of Textiles, GoI. However, the proposals have not been considered due to fund constraint. The NEC was asked to assist the State in securing the funds from the Ministry.
