Our Correspondent
Kohima |March 16
Nagaland’s planning & coordination and land revenue minister Neiba Kronu emphasized on the need to have the state’s own land laws with patta system considering people’s inability to mortgage land in the state for seeking larger scale of bank loan in business venture.
He stressed on the need to revamp the whole system and set more clarity in the best interest of the people of the state.
Interacting with media persons in Kohima, Kronu said the Naga people do not have the clarity of Article 371(A).
“We should have our own land patta system,” he said.
The Minister said it is agreed that land and resources in Nagaland belongs to the people of the state, but there is a need for proper cadastral survey and bringing about own land patta system in order to attract investors to the state.
Naga entrepreneurs and young educated unemployed cannot approach the bank as land in the state cannot be mortgaged and even if the government provides 2-3 lakh rupees through the Special Development Fund or CM Corpus Fund it is not enough because entrepreneurs require 20-30 lakh rupees while bank is not coming forward to their rescue because of the land system, he added.
The minister expressed hope that once land laws with patta system is introduced, foregoing the affidavit system, Nagas will be able to approach the bank and financial institutions for loans by mortgaging land.
“We must work with the financial institutions,” he said.
Kronu further informed that a coordination meeting with civil societies will be soon convened to find ways and means for framing new land laws.
He expressed fear that unless this is done investors will not come to Nagaland, because Nagas are unable to mortgage and lease out land, as social clearance is required for all Foreign Direct Investment and Externally Aided Projects.
The minister also asserted that things would move faster and all stagnant mega projects including the Cultural Hall, Multipurpose Parking at New NST and Old Medical Directorate would also be taken up.
People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government will pay to immediate attention to the desire of the public, he said.
Kronu also maintained that the government would focus on road sector by way of repairing and filling potholes as promised within 60 days.
The chief minister Neiphiu Rio has decided to review the performance of the ministers every after 100 days, he added.
