CM Neiphiu Rio and others during the inauguration of the Government Polytechnic at Hukphang in Longleng district on December 17. (DIPR Photo)
Longleng, December 17 (MExN): Technical education in Nagaland’s Longleng district received a boost on Saturday, with the inauguration of the district’s first Government Polytechnic in Hukphang.
Addressing the inaugural programme, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio congratulated the department and the people of Longleng district for completing the project, as committed by his government, stated a DIPR report.
The DIPR stated that Rio was optimistic that the inauguration of technical education in the district would benefit the people in shaping their destination with their available technical skills.
Stating that education is the backbone of any kind of development, Rio informed that three out of the 10 Polytechnic institutions in the state, were established in Mon, Tuensang, and Longleng districts under the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO).
Rio asserted that the target of his government was for equal share of development for the whole state, irrespective of districts and tribes, and though the ENPO areas have been lagging behind in literacy due to various reasons, ‘in the development sector the area is moving forward in par with the rest of the districts in the state,’ the DIPR report stated.
Highlighting various infrastructure developments under ENPO jurisdiction, the CM asserted that 40 percent of the PMGSY schemes are invested in the development of ENPO areas. Rio also highlighted construction of National Highway from Mon to Dimapur via Pangsha, Noklak, Kiphire, Zunheboto is underway and another foothill road project along with rail connectivity from Tizit under Mon district to Dimapur is also underway.
The CM also announced that Civil Engineering College in Longleng with initial intake of 30 students would be launched in the district shortly and will be followed up in other districts. He was hopeful that equal contribution and full cooperation of the department, institution, landowners and public leaders of the district would bring repute to the institute.
As per the DIPR, Rio further informed that for development of ENPO areas, four administrative headquarters have been upgraded to full districts including Longleng. He is also said to have appealed to the people to take responsible roles and ownership of the Polytechnic institute because without the cooperation and support of the local people, establishment of any kind of institutions would be a failure. The CM exhorted the gathering to jointly shoulder the responsibility without blaming the government.
Pointing out that Longleng is the gateway to the people of Tuensang, Aboi, Tobu and Mon, Rio said the existing development of good road connectivity in the district would contribute to the economic growth of the people, it added.
Meanwhile, the CM also mentioned the Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) and urged the people to avail the insurance card from the district administration and hospitals in the district. He said the insurance covers every citizen of the state with Rs 5 lakh per family and Rs 20 lakh per family for government employees.
He also highlighted the Chief Minister Micro Finance Initiative (CMMFI) scheme launched for the unemployed youths. Stating that the main purpose of the Scheme was to create job opportunity as government jobs have become competitive, he urged the people to avail the opportunity provided by the Government.
Earlier, Minister for Health & Family Welfare S Pangnyu Phom, Advisor to CM for Technical Education & Election Department Medo Yhokha, Longleng Deputy Commissioner Dharam Raj and Village Council Chairperson Hukphang also spoke at the inaugural programme.
Welcome address was proposed by the chairperson Sentiyanger Pongen, Addl Secretary, Department of Higher & Technical Education while invocation and technical report was proposed by Rev H Beau, pastor, LTBC and Er Hokato Sema, EE, Education Division respectively.
