Kohima, August 16 (DIPR): Nagaland celebrated the 70th Indian Independence Day at the Secretariat Plaza, Kohima on August 15 with Chief Minister, T.R. Zeliang as the chief guest.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister stated that an early political settlement is in the interest of one and all, and appealed to the NSCN (K) to eschew the path of violence and return to the ceasefire agreement. On law and order front the Chief Minister said that the overall situation in the State continues to remain peaceful. There were some concerns along the Assam and Nagaland boarder areas, particularly in the areas adjoining Doldoli reserved Forest which were effectively and harmoniously dealt with by the District Administration and Police, he said.
He said that the border issue between Nagaland and Assam is pending adjudication in the Supreme Court of India and at the same time, in order to secure the border and strengthen the hand of the field level administrative officers, adequate provision is being made for improving the infrastructure in the border areas like drinking water, road connectivity and offices and quarters for the Border Magistrates.
Further to maintain peace and tranquility in the disputed areas of Assam and Nagaland, Zeliang said Border Peace Coordination Committee (BPCC) have been formed in all the district bordering Assam comprising of representatives from both the States of Assam and Nagaland which, the Chief Minister said, is purely voluntary.
He expressed happiness to the civil societies including ENPO, ENSF, ENWO, ENLU Churches and the mediators appointed by the Government for their tireless work for bringing peaceful situation in Tuensang and Kiphire.
To strengthen infrastructure for the Police, construction of the Commissioner of Police, Dimapur and IGP (Int.) Kohima is being taken up during 2016-2017. Initiatives such as installation of 23 CCTV Cameras in the New Market area Dimapur on March 29, 2016 will help and control the crime in the urban areas. The Government has decided to upgrade the Women Cell in Dimapur and Kohima to full-fledged Women Police Stations with the rest of the districts to follow shortly, the Chief Minister said.
Zeliang further said that the penury grants to 61 living World War 11 veterans of Nagaland has been increased from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 6000 per month. He also said that the Nagaland Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) distributed an amount of Rs. 3.81 crores as relief during 2015-16. On the education front, the Chief Minister said that the State government has initiated the mandatory Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education Institution and out of 63 colleges in Nagaland, 14 colleges are NAAC accredited colleges. By 2021, the Department of Higher Education expects all the colleges in the State to be accredited by NAAC.
On Agriculture & Allied sector, the Chief Minister stated that during the 12th Plan, the Department aims to achieve the Agricultural growth rate target of 6.50% for food security, keeping in view the vision for achieving Food for All and to ensure food security by 2025. The foundation stone for establishment of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Jalukie was laid on August 6 last while another KVK will be established at Kiphire within the current year, the Chief Minister added.
On Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, genetic improvement of livestock and poultry through infusion of superior germplasm has been introduced. The Chief Minister said that improving germplasm of pigs to upgrade the deteriorating blood line is another thrust area for which a Boar Station is being set up at Medziphema. The State Pig Breeding Policy has also been released - the first of its kind in the country and recently, Veterinary College in the State has been set up at Jalukie.
The Department of Fisheries has taken up construction of fish kiosks at Kohima, Dimapur and Peren Districts. As a part of NEC sponsored scheme, the Department has taken up development of community based fisheries in Mokokchung and Peren Districts, and Integrated Fisheries development at Kohima, Zunheboto, Phek and Mokokchung Districts.
The Department of Land Resources is taking up rubber plantation on a large scale in the State in view of the high potential and farmers' interest. An area of 5,000 hectares of new plantation has been brought under rubber cultivation during 2015-16. With this, a total of 15,000 hectares have so far been developed in the State.
The Chief Minister said that the Department of Irrigation & Flood Control under the sub scheme 'Har Khet Ko Pani' of PMKSY will be taking up surface minor irrigation schemes. A special program of Integrated Eri Silk Development Project for Women Empowerment and Sustainable Livelihood for Kohima District funded by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India has also been officially launched on 5th April 2016.
Addressing on the infrastructure sector of the State, the Chief Minister said that the Government of India's commitment to improve the infrastructure facilities in the North East has boosted the prospects of construction and improvement of National Highways in the State.
With the recent "in-principle" declaration of 5 roads as National Highways, the total length of National Highways in the State will increase to 2,271 kms, out of which 1,974 kms are under the State P.W.D.
He also stated that in the Annual Plan 2016-17, two laning of NH-2 from Botsa to Wokha (via Tseminyu) for 32.4 km, improvement of city portion of Dimapur and Kohima, totaling 28 km, and two laning of NH-2 from Wokha to Nagaland Gate via Mokokchung and Tuli are included in the works program.
The State Government has also recently created two new divisions at Mon and Phek and 11 new sub¬divisions at Longleng, Tobu, Tizit, Pfustero, Mokokchung, Aboi, Mon, Phek, Chozuba, Zunheboto and Peren under the PWD (National Highways), he added.
In the power sector, construction of 1 MW Ponglefo Hydro Electric Project, which is located upstream of Likimro in Kiphire district has commenced while under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Gramin), 22,617 units of Individual Latrines, 164 Community Sanitary Complexes and 17 Solid Waste Management units were constructed during 2015-16. Further, 161 villages were declared Open Defecation Free.
The Chief Minister said that the Apparel and Garment Making Centre at 6th Mile, Dimapur has three production units with complete sets of machineries, tools and equipments required for production of apparels and garments.
The Geology and Mining Department has completed a Mineral Industry Growth Centre (MIGC) at I.I.D.C. Kiruphema at a cost of Rs. 5 crores where the Centre will promote mineral based industries by utilizing locally available resources.
The Chief Minister announced that the State Cabinet has recently approved for setting up of nine Town Councils at East Dimapur, Mangkolemba, Longkhim, Bhandari, Tobu, Tizit, Tening, Pungro and Chozouba and also five Urban Station Committees at Chessore, Yisemyong, Tzudikong, Chuchuyimlang Town and Athibung. He said the State Cabinet has also decided to conduct elections to the Urban Local Bodies as per the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001.
On the health sector, the Chief Minister said that a 10 bedded AYUSH Hospital at Dimapur has started functioning since 2015, and a new 30 bedded integrated AYUSH Hospital is coming up in Noklak Community Health Centre. The Department of Social Welfare launched 'Sakhi', the One Stop Centre as well as Women Helpline 181, District Hospital, Dimapur on 23rdJune, 2016, he highlighted.
The Chief Minister stated that the Department of Information & Public Relations nominated Naga filmmakers for participation in the Northeast Film Festival, 2016 held at Itanagar during February this year, where three Naga film makers were honoured with awards for best documentary film and for best direction.
With the introduction of the State Government's policy on single window release of Government advertisements, the DIPR could streamline the release and payment of advertisements more efficiently and equitably.
He also said that the Department has launched a mobile phone application "Naga News" for smartphone users, and people using smartphones with android operating system can download the app for free, and update themselves by going through the daily news bulletin 'Naga News'.
The Chief Minister staid that keeping in view the skill gaps of the workforce and the need for building up our own local workforce, the State Government has declared the year 2016-17 as the "Year of Construction Workers".
On the Economy of the State, TR Zeliang stated that while the economy of the State is growing faster than the national average, we should not forget that an overwhelming part of this growth is financed by the Government of India and there is an urgent need to increase our own revenue.
He also said that the Taxation Department collected revenue of Rs. 362.49 crores last year, an increase of 17 per cent over the previous year and the Department is now working in a fully online environment, and is preparing for a smooth transition to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, which will be a major improvement over the existing VAT regime.
Cultural Extravaganza
The cultural entertainment began with a folk dance by the Yachumaro Cultural Group, Kohima, which was followed by a song titled ‘True Colours’ by Music Task Force, Harmonic Voices, Nagaland. The Nagaland Adolescent Girls Club (NAGC) demonstrated a special taekwondo performance with the theme “Brave Heart”. The NAGC have been groomed by the Kohima taekwondo family. The NAGC which was established in the year 2014 with a motto “Challenges to be strong and perfect”. The Angami Students Union (Choir) performed a song titled “Ara Kezivi” which was composed by J.B. Jasokie.
‘Aazadi 70 years: yaad karo qurbaani’ On the occasion of Independence day- ‘Aazadi 70 years: yaad karo qurbaani’ organized by Song & Drama Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Government of India, Regional centre Guwahati held at Durbar hall, Raj Bhavan, Kohima on August 15.
Exhibition Football Match
The evening programme of the Independence Day was held at Secretariat Plaza with Chief Secretary, Pankaj Kumar, IAS as chief guest.
In commemoration, an exhibition football match was played between IG Assam Rifles and DGP, Nagaland. DGP, Nagaland won the match with 2-0 scoreline, Lima and Saku scored a goal each for the DGP team. The evening function also witnessed prize distribution for various contingents that took part in the ceremonial parade.
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