‘If our stomach is empty, we cannot think right’
Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio addressing the NCSA general conference in Kohima on March 5. (DIPR Photo)
Nagaland CM says politics is important, but so is the economy
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 5
Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio today stated that politics and economic development should go hand in hand. The CM said this as he stressed on the need to improve the state’s lagging economy.
Speaking at the 45th General Conference of the Nagaland Civil Service Association (NCSA) here at RCEMPA, Jotsoma the CM lamented that that the economy is rarely discussed in Naga society.
“We always talk and talk politics. Yes, politics is required. But if our stomach is empty, we cannot think right, we cannot talk right and do right things,” he stated.
This emphasis on economic development came from the CM as he had presented an increased deficit budget for the State at the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) last month. The Nagaland State Budget showed an estimated deficit of Rs 2,234.85 Crores for the period 2019-2020, which was an increase from Rs 1661.98 Crores estimated for the 2018-19 period.
The increase in the deficit, according to the Chief Minister, was due to reduction in State share of taxes from the Central Government and the toll on the State’s coffers due to the excess of government employees.
Speaking of government employees, the Nagaland CM took the opportunity to urge the Nagaland Civil Service officers at the event to help develop the local economies of their respective places of posting. He encouraged the officers to identify economic potentials and coordinate with the developmental departments to make sure that developmental funds are utilized properly.
Delimitation exercise
The Chief Minister also spoke on the Home Ministry’s directive for the delimitation exercise 2020 to be carried out within the 60 Assembly Constituencies of the State. The CM informed that Home Minister, Amit Shah had personally telephoned him with regard to the delimitation exercise.
He stated that the exercise would be a difficult endeavour and called for a rational approach while carrying it out. The CM called upon the NCS officers to be mentally prepared to lead the way in this exercise.
‘Be dynamic in emergency situations’
Referring to NCS officers as the backbone of the government, he said “You are serving our people with total dedication, facing difficult times, challenging times, facing all kinds of situation.” In this, Rio saluted them and appreciated their efforts and sacrifices leaving behind their comfort and family life to serve the people.
While acknowledging the difficulties that the NCS officers go through, he hoped that through their hardships they would be able to identify with the struggles of the people that they are serving. With the NCS being the most qualified, to serve the people, Rio said, they should not only depend on the higher command for direction, but they need to be dynamic in emergency situations, especially in far flung areas.
“You cannot only wait for the command from DCs, commissioners or from political bosses but you have to execute the responsibilities,” the CM said.
