Karaiba Chawang
Kohima | March 3
ENDING A two year long tug-of-war over the selection of a district headquarter site for Peren, the Zeliangrong Baudi, as endorsed by the public earlier, today arrived at a consensus to base the proposed district headquarter at Jalukie.
Although an official declaration would be made only after submitting their decision to the Commissioner of Nagaland, Baudi President Dennis Elung, after the marathon meeting at Jalukie town today, told The Morung Express that the decision was arrived at as per the wish of the majority.
While acknowledging that some section of the people were still disgruntled over the selection of the site, Dennis said it has been the consensus choice of the people since beginning. Perhaps, this could be considered one of the most tangible achievements of the Zeliangrong Baudi since its inception.
The last general meeting of the public of Peren district held on February 25, after it failed to pull out a consensus, had endorsed the Baudi to take it own decision, and accordingly Baudi has decided today. Now the Baudi will meet the Commissioner in a few days time to let known their decision, only then an official notification will be issued from the latter’s office, informed Dennis.
However, the top priority before the Baudi is to rush for development as the new district has wasted two good year in the tussle over the headquarter site without any tangible development. As soon as the official notification is issued, the Baudi would start pursuing the state government for speedy development, and try to make up the lost time, Dennis also added.
The representatives of Baudi will also leave for New Delhi to demand for the special package from the Centre, Dennis further informed who appeared quite relieved by the decision. Today’s meeting was attended by all the executives of the Baudi.
As first reported in The Morung Express in August last year, a senior leader of the Zeliangrong Baudi had disclosed that the tribal organization was considering asking from the Centre at least 1000 crore ‘since a planned town would need a large financial support.’ According to the President of the Zeliangrong Hoho, Dennis Elung, a delegation from the body would be sent to the centre for the said matter.
Also, highly-placed sources in the State Government had disclosed that on creation of a headquarter site, the NPF-led DAN government would be investing in phases with the necessary financial sanction receipt accrued directly from the Centre. The sources had disclosed that whichever headquarter might be selected as Peren’s headquarter the Government was mooting for the initial phase about Rupees 300 crores “for the foundation” the final outlay for which might touch a whooping 1015 Crore should the investment be streamlined.
The Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio was reported to have been “ready to fight for funds from the Central Government so that the aspiration to make Peren Headquarter a Model District is realized at the earliest” according to the sources.
Morung Express News
