Kohima | November 22 : Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today asserted that the State government is giving importance to rural people as mass population live in the rural area. Quoting 2011 census of Nagaland where rural population constitutes 14, 6, 861 and urban population at 5, 73, 741, Rio said it indicated that 70 % of the people of the state are still living in the rural area.
Inaugurating the SIRD Auditorium, Rural Technology Museum, Library and Faculty building here this morning, Rio said that unless we look for the welfare of the rural villagers our per capita income would not increase. The Chief Minister said that in any development, understanding the meaning of human resources is of paramount importance, and observed that our economy would prosper provided trainings are imparted to the stakeholders, making them understand the objectives of the various programmes.
Rio said the responsibility of SIRD is to impart trainings, conduct seminars and workshops and to preserve and develop our traditional techniques and hoped that the department would uplift the society by imparting trainings to the stake holders as well. If the stakeholders don’t understand how to use the funds provided by the government, there can be no development, he said.
Stating that there are many flagship programmes for rural areas, he said the stakeholders must understand the meaning and how to utilize the fund to improve the living condition of the rural populace. Referring to the award Nagaland received for “Most Improved State” amongst the small states in the category of “Infrastructure Development,” Rio termed the award as a proud moment for the state.
Rio said the award does not mean that the state has developed sufficiently but among the small state “we are also performing.” The Chief Minister categorically said the award is not for the Chief Minister but it is for the people of the state. Stating that the award was possible because of team work, he asserted that the award has thrown a fresh challenge to the people of the state to do better.
He was hopeful that the people will take the award as a challenge with positive mind and build the team spirit stronger.
Also referring to community strength of Naga society, and the successful functioning of Village Councils, Village Development Board and Communitization in Nagaland, Rio however said that some are doing well but some are receiving the funds and distributing among themselves. Calling the funds targeted for rural people not to be misused, he said the concerned agency in the district must be serious/cross check and reward those villages who are performing and punish those who are misusing the funds. He maintained that the living condition of the rural people will be improved drastically provided the best use of the allotted funds designed for rural populace.
The Chief Minister said that it came to his notice that some VCC, VDB and Communitized village use to come together to draw money and distributed among themselves and left small amount for development. Rio said that if such thing continues the village will never progress.
In the meantime, Rio said the government should be criticized but “it should be with positive attitude.”
“Criticism should not be otherwise,” he said adding that it is very easy to criticize and blame but it is difficult to do things to follow up.
“We welcome the positive criticism. We welcome any kind of criticism,” Rio said. He however said the criticism has to be with basic, saying just for the sake of criticism is not good for the society.
Lauding the performance of SIRD, Rio was hopeful that the department would perform better by owning the present asset. Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development S. Pangnyu Phom and SIRD director Limasenla Jamir also spoke on the occasion. Commissioner and Secretary for Rural Development V. Sakhrie chaired the function while SIRD Joint Director Velü-o Shijo proposed vote of thanks.
Inaugurating the SIRD Auditorium, Rural Technology Museum, Library and Faculty building here this morning, Rio said that unless we look for the welfare of the rural villagers our per capita income would not increase. The Chief Minister said that in any development, understanding the meaning of human resources is of paramount importance, and observed that our economy would prosper provided trainings are imparted to the stakeholders, making them understand the objectives of the various programmes.
Rio said the responsibility of SIRD is to impart trainings, conduct seminars and workshops and to preserve and develop our traditional techniques and hoped that the department would uplift the society by imparting trainings to the stake holders as well. If the stakeholders don’t understand how to use the funds provided by the government, there can be no development, he said.
Stating that there are many flagship programmes for rural areas, he said the stakeholders must understand the meaning and how to utilize the fund to improve the living condition of the rural populace. Referring to the award Nagaland received for “Most Improved State” amongst the small states in the category of “Infrastructure Development,” Rio termed the award as a proud moment for the state.
Rio said the award does not mean that the state has developed sufficiently but among the small state “we are also performing.” The Chief Minister categorically said the award is not for the Chief Minister but it is for the people of the state. Stating that the award was possible because of team work, he asserted that the award has thrown a fresh challenge to the people of the state to do better.
He was hopeful that the people will take the award as a challenge with positive mind and build the team spirit stronger.
Also referring to community strength of Naga society, and the successful functioning of Village Councils, Village Development Board and Communitization in Nagaland, Rio however said that some are doing well but some are receiving the funds and distributing among themselves. Calling the funds targeted for rural people not to be misused, he said the concerned agency in the district must be serious/cross check and reward those villages who are performing and punish those who are misusing the funds. He maintained that the living condition of the rural people will be improved drastically provided the best use of the allotted funds designed for rural populace.
The Chief Minister said that it came to his notice that some VCC, VDB and Communitized village use to come together to draw money and distributed among themselves and left small amount for development. Rio said that if such thing continues the village will never progress.
In the meantime, Rio said the government should be criticized but “it should be with positive attitude.”
“Criticism should not be otherwise,” he said adding that it is very easy to criticize and blame but it is difficult to do things to follow up.
“We welcome the positive criticism. We welcome any kind of criticism,” Rio said. He however said the criticism has to be with basic, saying just for the sake of criticism is not good for the society.
Lauding the performance of SIRD, Rio was hopeful that the department would perform better by owning the present asset. Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development S. Pangnyu Phom and SIRD director Limasenla Jamir also spoke on the occasion. Commissioner and Secretary for Rural Development V. Sakhrie chaired the function while SIRD Joint Director Velü-o Shijo proposed vote of thanks.
