DIMAPUR, MAY 27 (MExN): Nagaland State Chief Minister TR Zeliang today expressed disappointment that the statement of good intentions and the announcement of many ambitious plans by Central leaders for development of NE region have so far not been matched by commensurate actions.
He said this while addressing the 68th Plenary Session of the North East Council (NEC) in Shillong on May 27. Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi was also in attendance.
The CM, in his speech said he was disappointed that the annual allocation of funds to NEC has always been way below expectations. He added that even the outlays approved for the NEC in the various Five Year Plans have never been actually allotted or utilized fully since its inception.
Commenting on the uneven allocation of NEC funds and projects amongst the constituent States, Zeliang said that the percentage share of Nagaland, in terms of annual sanction and release of NEC funds, has been declining over the years.
For example, in the case of North East Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP), Phase I & II were implemented in 1326 villages in Assam, Meghalaya and Manipur. “We had asked for inclusion of Nagaland in Phase III, but this was not considered and is being implemented only in the States of Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur,” he pointed out.
Citing another example, the Nagaland CM said that of the 14 Regional Institutes being assisted and promoted by the NEC since its inception, there is no such institute in Nagaland.
Regarding road connectivity, the TR Zeliang welcomed the introduction of the NE Road Sector Development Scheme, a new scheme for construction and up gradation of important inter-state roads, with inbuilt provision for maintenance for five years. “However, the initial allocation of Rs. 150 crore appears to be too meagre for any meaningful impact,” the CM lamented.
Therefore, he urged the Prime Minister to see that adequate funds are provided for new road constructions, as well as for maintenance of existing roads constructed under NEC and NLCPR funds.
