Limalenden Longkumer
Mokokchung | August 15
The Parliamentary Secretary of Industries and Commerce, Dr. KC Nihoshe and the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industries (MCCI) on Friday in a marathon sitting discussed several issues related to trade, commerce and industries with special reference to Mokokchung.
The meeting held at Longkumer Kilem was attended by members of the MCCI as well as officials of the department of Industries & Commerce, deputy commissioner of Mokokchung, chairman of Dimapur Municipal Council and president of Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industries. Besides pouring in ideas and sharing possible ventures to be taken up in future, the meeting largely discussed a seven-pronged agenda put forward by the MCCI.
With the MCCI expressing desire to know about the “present status of NPPC Tuli,” the Commissioner and Secretary of Industries and Commerce Imkonglemba disclosed that the reviving process of Tuli Paper Mill has been slowed down. He said that the Hindustan Paper Corporation (HPC) had revised the Detailed Project Report of Tuli paper Mill.
He said that there was an “inherent problem” in the form of “labor problem” in the state’s only heavy industry. Also, he said that the management of the paper mill is now wholly in the hands of HPC, which earlier was with the state government. He added that according to the tripartite MoU signed between government of India, HPC and government of Nagaland, the revamping of the factory was to be completed by September 2010. But the official was doubtful that the factory can be revived within the stipulated time.
It was also revealed during the course of the discussions that the MCCI can join the department in carrying out an ‘awareness campaign on NPCC.’ The MCCI had earlier in March 2009 reminded the department of the need to sensitize the people about the importance of Tuli Paper Mill. He also appreciated the role of civil society, led by the Ao Senden, for convincing all “agencies” not to disrupt the revival process by collecting ‘taxes.’ However, the attitude of the HPC management was regretted by the meeting. In fact, it was disclosed that the executives and engineers were not stationed at Tuli.
The meeting also discussed the present status and activities of the State Level Export Promotion Committee, of which MCCI is also a member. It was disclosed that Rs.50 crore border trade promotion is being initiated by the committee. The MCCI also pushed for its long cherished dream of establishing a “and port” in Mokokchung to cater to the needs of the entire state and the northern part of Nagaland in particular, its scope and other relevant matters.
However, the top officials of the department rather suggested that the Integrated Industrial Development Centre could possibly better serve the purpose. On the question of “exact procedure to go about transport, power and manpower subsidies by the genuine businessmen,” the visiting officials said that any entrepreneur with Professional License and Permanent License issued by the competent authority is eligible for the subsidy. In this regard, the parliamentary secretary also added that a district level industrial development facilitation committee’ is also in the offing.
To a question posed by the MCCI regarding the present status of “foot hill road” that would connect Mon district to Dimapur via Mokokchung without passing through Assam, the officials present were of the opinion that it is a long felt need and “long pending” issue which has to be addressed by the nodal department, the Roads & Bridges. It may be mentioned that the “northern Naga hohos” has on August 2009 submitted a memorandum to the government on this regard.
The MCCI has requested the parliamentary secretary to “sponsor upcoming entrepreneurs of MCCI to go out of the state for exposure trip. The meeting was held in a cordial and informal manner where members present expressed their ideas and opinions freely. It was also agreed in principle that more such meetings be held in the future.
The parliamentary secretary said Nagas, especially the youngsters, must be more hard working and that they should sit down and concentrate. While saying that entrepreneurs must first analyze the marketability of their products before launching business, he said that Nagas must hone their skills in book keeping. “Nagas are not good in maintaining proper documentation of records,” he said. He also expressed the need to build a cold storage system in every district of the state. In conclusion, he encouraged the “rich persons to establish private enterprises.”
It was also learned during the meeting that the state government is no longer interested in establishing manufacturing units in the state. Private entrepreneurs are encouraged to establish the manufacturing units, where the state government would contribute about 25% to 30% of the actual cost “in the form of subsidy.”
Dimapur Municipal Council Chairman Kekhaho, who also spoke at the meeting, said that the people, especially the elders, must break free from the “traditional mindset” as times have changed. “We must also change,” he said. He was also of the opinion that Mokokchung was lagging behind because the town does not have an elected municipal council. He also advised that the DCCI and MCCI must work harder and that there must be more coordination between them. “The farmers are suffering because of us,” he added.
