NCST reviews welfare activities in Nagaland

The NCSC team and with Nagaland Additional Chief Secretary, Lhoubeilatuo Kire during press conference in Kohima on October 22. (DIPR photo)

 

 

Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 22 

A team from the National Commission of Scheduled Tribes (NCST), on a four day visit to Nagaland, has reviewed the entire gamut of welfare activities for tribal people of the state.

 

The team, which arrived on October 20, had a review meeting today with the DGP, principal secretaries and secretaries of related department on the safeguard protection and welfare programmes being implemented by Government of Nagaland.

 

They also met Nagaland Governor, RN Ravi on Sunday. Earlier, they conducted a field visit and interacted with villagers and leaders at Kigwema and Khonoma.

 

Addressing a press conference here this afternoon, Joint Secretary to the Government of India, NCST, Sisir Kumar Ratho said the commission has been set up under Article 338A on bifurcation of erstwhile National Commission for SCs and STs to oversee the implementation of various safeguards provided to Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution.

 

He said the commission investigates and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the Schedule Tribes, evaluate the working of such safeguards, inquire into specific complaints, advise in the planning process of socio-economic development of the STs and to present to the President annual reports about the working of those safeguards.

 

 

Laments poor condition of Khm-Dmp road

NCST Chairperson, Dr. Nand Kumar Sai said that the commission has apprised the regional head of the NHIDCL on the poor condition of the ongoing four lane road between Kohima and Dimapur, and urged the agency to make the road motor able so that travelers can travel conveniently.

 

The Commission also expressed concern over the pitiable road condition along Kigwema and Khonoma and told the state government to look into it.

 

Various other issues like post matric scholarship, Prevention of Atrocities Act for STs & SCs, Anganwadi Centres, jhum cultivation etc were also discussed by the commission.

                                                                

Call for proper market linkages

The commission maintained that Nagaland is fortunate to have organic products and herbals which need to be properly processed, stored and marketed at the national and international levels.

 

It suggested that adequate market linkages be provided so that farmers get proper remunerative price for their products.

 

The commission informed that it has directed the state government and the concerned department to make a list of traditional medicinal practitioners so that their knowledge can be retained and passed on.

 

It meanwhile noted that several villages are facing challenges due to crop damage as a result of natural calamities and animals. The commission instructed the government to pay compensation in such cases.

 

Referring to their interaction with the elders, women and youth of Kigwema and Khonoma villages, Sai said that the villagers asked for upgrading the educational facilities as a main concern.

 

He further pointed to the horticultural potential of Kigwema, and asked the state government to assist the village in processing, storing and marketing their produce.

 

Other members of the visiting team include Harshadbhai Chunnilal Vasasa, member, NCST; Hari Krishna Damor, NCST; AK Sinha, Secretary to GoI, NCST; SP Meena, Assistant Director and Rahul Mishra, Personal Assistant to NCST chairperson.

(With inputs from DIPR)