Dimapur, July 9 (MExN): Governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya highlighted several issues regarding Nagaland during the 67th plenary of the North Eastern Council (NEC) on July 9 in Shillong.
In his speech, which was released to the media, Acharya pointed out that the North East region is richly endowed with natural resources and human resources, but these potentials are yet to be fully optimized. “Hence, care should be taken not to reduce NEC to mere recommending body and a knowledge hub without necessary resources.”
Agriculture
The biggest constraint for agri and allied sector in Nagaland, he stated, is the market linkage and storage. Stating that the Prime Minister has emphasized on developing the North Eastern Region as the hub of organic farming, he said this natural advantage of the region in organic farming can be turned into real wealth by providing necessary support and infrastructure for storage, marketing and processing.
He stated that certified organic products fetch higher income for the producers, therefore, there is the need for NEC to help the states in getting their food products certified as organic and brand building in value chain mode linking producers and consumers.
With immense potential for horticulture crops, he felt that the Central Institute of Horticulture, Dimapur should be strengthened and upgraded to full-fledged regional institute for Horticulture.
Acharya further mentioned that during his visit to Mon and other remote areas of Nagaland, he found that excellent quality organic produce like cardamom, ginger, and fruits like pineapple were being sold at throw away prices compared to prevalent market price. He cited that cardamom was sold at Rs 270/- per kilogram in Mon while it fetches approximately Rs 1500/- in Assam.
Power Sector
Nagaland, Acharya stated, is facing serious power deficit with the State generating only 26 MW against the peak requirement of 115 MW. In order to overcome the acute shortage, the State has taken up various initiatives such as 186 MW Dikhu hydro project, 30 MW Tizu and 36 MW Zungki projects. Further, on a pilot basis, it has introduced Smart metering and pre-paid meters in certain localities for improving efficiency and reducing losses. To enable coverage of the entire State in this, the support of NEC is anticipated, he added.
Skill development and capacity building
With a young demographic profile, Nagaland is advantageously placed in terms of availability of human resource in the working age group, the Governor said. However, with the lack of organized private sector in the State to absorb the growing number of youths and a saturated Government sector, this primary resource becomes a challenge, he added. Therefore, he emphasized on imparting the right skills to them to be gainfully employed.
He suggested skill development in tourism and hospitality, aviation, nursing, para-medics, wellness industry, music and entertainment, IT and the BPOs, sports, therapists, and specialized skills in automobile sector and in construction sector. Entrepreneurship skills too need to be developed and for which special handholding is required, he added.
The Governor further stated focus is required not only on numbers but also on the quality of employment and the scope for career progression of the young people who are employed outside the State/Region.
It is in this context, the decision taken by the 1st Executive Committee in its meeting held on October 6, 2015 in New Delhi for establishment of regional institutes assumes significance, he said. “This decision needs to be acted upon giving priority to those states which do not have institutes that are regional in character while at the same time establishing these Regional Institutes spread across the region.”
Connectivity
Acharya pointed out that for a landlocked state like Nagaland with poor rail and air connectivity, roads remain the lifeline. The major challenge of road connectivity in the State is not only construction but its maintenance given its topography, gradient, instable soil condition and heavy rainfall, he noted. Construction and maintenance of roads in the State therefore requires huge investment of resources, the Governor said. Unless connectivity is improved, he added, the potentials to make Nagaland a hub of economic activity through tourism and agri and allied activities to promote economic development and generate employment opportunities will continue to be latent.
Lamenting that the condition of the roads and other forms of connectivity remain dismal in the region, Acharya urged NEC to form a committee of local experts and users to help in identifying constraints in transforming the situation.
He further mentioned that Kohima is the only State Capital in the country without an airport and urged that the proposed Greenfield Airport for Kohima (Chiethu) be expeditiously taken up. “Although the State is strategically located, only when there is good connectivity, will the State and country be able to leverage on the Act East policy,” he stated.
