Karaiba Chawang
Kohima | March 20
The Opposition Congress may resort to hard talk in the following days of the budget session in its defence, but State Governor, K Sankaranarayanan, speaking in tune with the ruling NPF-led DAN Government appears to have sidelined the Congress contention that factional feud is a law and order problem and not political, as he admitted today that factional clashes are political in nature, and requires tact and diplomacy, rather than use of brute force to deal with it.
In his maiden speech to the 14th session of the tenth Nagaland Legislative Assembly today, Sankaranarayanan said that his government is pained by the spate of factional clashes and killings amongst the insurgent groups that have had a cascading effect on the developmental process.
However, Sankaranarayanan reassured the house that the State government is fully aware of, and, is committed to the duty of maintaining law and order, while upholding the proclaimed DAN government’s policy of equi-closeness to various groups and of playing the role of a facilitator to the peace process.
Given the nature of the political problem on the table of peace parleys, the Governor also said that the civil and police administration are working tirelessly to cut through the constraints to keep developmental processes on.
The Governor also thanked the churches and civil society for acting out a proactive role and in voicing their concern over disruptions to peace and in taking steps to minimize mindless violence. He made a call for peace and harmony amongst all section of people in the state, and to take to dialogue and discussion as the only methods of resolving long standing conflicts.
“Honourable members, the agenda of the government rests on the slogan ‘peace for development and development for peace.’ My government is resolute on this slogan becoming a reality”, the Governor said.
The Governor spread his 15 pages speech with the programmes that has been implemented, and the programmes that are in the offing. He touched upon almost all the departments ranging from health issues, transport and roads communications, industries, music, sports, employment, education, women issues, power, water etc.
Governor told the house that on account of ceasefire and prevalence of peace in the state, the economy of the state has shown a healthy trend of growing at 8.55 per cent. He also disclosed that per capita income today is estimated at Rs 21,002, which is slightly higher than the national average.
The food grain production has crossed 4 lakh MT and is anticipated at 4.36 lakh MT during the current, the Governor also said.
Although, almost all major industries seems to have slept in the state since several years back, the Governor also noted that manufacturing sector has been growing at 6.22 per cent and secondary sector at 8.18 per cent, which he termed it as ‘heartening’. “Thus my government has taken giant steps in vitalizing industrial atmosphere in the state which has suffered serious set back with the Supreme Courts’ ban on felling of trees in 1996-97 leading to the closure of wood based industries in the state”, the Governor added.
Coal has also been indicated as one of the potential sector for development in the governor’s speech. About 11 million tonnes coal reserves has been proven in the state.
With the prevalent of 1.5 percent, HIV/AIDS problem is another cause of deep concern, said Sankaranarayanan. However, he said that NACO is launching its 3rd phase of control programme with overall goal to halt and reverse the epidemic over the next five years by integrating programs for prevention, care support and treatment.
Governor also said that the ‘new found relationship between the NGOs, churches, civil societies, Hohos and other bodies will be forged into permanent tie for more effective and more responsive governance.
“Drinking water in the state, however, remains a major problem despite the abundance of rain for one half of the year”, Sankaranarayanan said, while stating that standard of a society are known by the quality of potable water afforded to the common man. He assured the house that the state water policy is under evolution for finding lasting solution to the perennial drinking water scarcity afflicting the state.
The day was adjourned for Thursday by the speaker after obituary reference, and motion of thanks on the Governor address by Deo Nukhu, MLA, which was seconded by newly elected MLA, Atomi.
Governor also mourned the demise of Lakiumong and Dr Hokishe Sema and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family of IRB personnel killed in Chhattisgarh, at the same time welcome the newly elected members, Atomi and Kejong Chang to the august house.
