DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 28 (MExN): Nagaland’s Minister for Planning T R Zeliang has placed before the National Development Council (NDC) the views and path that the State aspire to achieve during the 12th Plan. The Minister was speaking during the 57th meeting of the NDC chaired by the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on December 27, 2012.
According to a press note issued by Mhonbemo Patton Commission & Secretary, Planning & Coordination, Urban Development, some of the issues raised by the Planning Minister were the demand to set right the adverse impact of 13th Finance Commission, immediate sanction of a Medical College, create institutions of higher learning and special project for power transmission and distribution in the North East.
The Minister also put forward the demand for construction of a 4 Lane highway along the foothill from Tizit-Dimapur-Jalukie-Khelma, trans Eastern Nagaland highway along Myanmar border, earmarking fund for maintenance of roads, construction of railway line connecting Dimapur to Tizit, sanctioning the Chiethu Greenfield airport and assistance to built new townships along the 4 Lane foothill highway.
He also highlighted that a lasting solution to the vexed Naga political problem is critical to ensure success in the implementation of the various Development Plans. TR Zeliang stated that the ongoing political negotiation has raised the expectations of the people and urged that a mutually agreed and honourable settlement be arrived at the earliest.
T R Zeliang was accompanied in the meeting by Lalthara, Chief Secretary, Mhonbemo Patton, Commissioner & Secretary, Planning & Coordination, Urban Development and Temsuwati, Additional Development Commissioner. T R Zeliang spoke during the meeting on behalf of the Chief Minister. He stated that the State has achieved by and large the targets of the 11th Plan due to relative calm in the State which is an outcome of policy of “Peace for Development and Development for Peace”, adopted by the State.
It may be mentioned that the National Development Council (NDC) is headed by the Prime Minister and consists of all the Chief Ministers, Union Ministers, Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories and others. The 57ht NDC met to consider the 12th Five Year Plan of the nation. The approach to 12th Plan envisages faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth and set an overall growth target of 8 (eight) percent during the 12th Plan.
The Prime Minister among others stated that during the 12th Plan, th e Centre plan to step up the pace of investments in infrastructure, particularly roads, rail, airports, waterways and power transmission systems to support and stimulate economic activity in the North Eastern region.
