Kronu call for early setting up of Nagaland investment board
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 24
After two days of discussions and remarks made by leader of the House, Chief Minister Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu, the 15th session of 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly today adopted motion of thanks to the Governor’s Address.
The Chief Minister thanked all the members during the debate for their useful contributions and suggestions on various issues, all of which will be taken due note of for follow up actions.
On youth employment raised by MLA Mmhonlumo Kikon and the need for ensuring fairness and transparency in the matter of recruitment to government jobs, Dr. Liezietsu said Personal Information Management System (PIMS) was launched by the state government last year on the Civil Services Day, “but the process is yet to be completed in many departments.”
He said PIMS analyses information on government employees, including their overall strength, department wise, District-wise and office-wise, and helps in monitor the growth and management of Govt. employment.
Stating that the State Govt. has banned all contract and adhoc appointments without following due procedure vide P&AR Department’s Office Memorandum dated 6th June, 2016, Dr. Liezietsu said any irregularity brought to the notice of the Govt., which is not in conformity with the Govt. policy, will be looked into and rectified.
“We will also try to ensure better transparency and fairness in all appointments to Govt. services,” he said.
As envisioned in the Nagaland Vision 2030, the Government will intensify its efforts in expanding opportunities for gainful employment for our youth, he said. On the need to have Nagaland Investment Board, he said the Government is looking into the matter.
With regard to concern expressed by MLA Neiba Kronu with regard to the need for rightsizing of Government work force, Dr. Liezietsu said “I will ask the Manpower Rationalization Committee headed by the Chief Secretary to recommend corrective measures for managing our manpower in a better manner, especially in the major departments, such as Police and Education.”
As regards the financial difficulties and constraints faced by the state Govt consequent upon the change in the pattern of devolution of funds from the Centre to the States, and the abolition of the Planning Commission etc, the Chief Minister said that he would dwell on them in more details during the budget presentation. Earlier, MLA Neiba Kronu asked that the Nagaland Investment Board be set up as early as possible to invite investors from outside the state.
Participating in the motion of thanks on Governor’s Address on the floor of the House, he touched on the topic of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in Nagaland and suggested the government to invite investor and funding agencies, for which an investor friendly environment must be prevalent in the state.
On the education sector, he said that during the period of 2015-16, Rs 997.29 crores was spent on salaries alone.
He urged the government to constitute a special committee headed by the Chief Minister to revamp the whole system of education, failing which things may go out of control.
“For how long we keep on watching agitation after agitation,” he said.
He also suggested that a special session to discuss on education system in Nagaland is required. On the unemployment problem, Kronu suggested that a “soft loan” be made available to the youth to start up their business, so as to discourage them from depending solely on government service. Parliamentary Secretary for Home Guard & Civil Defence, EE Pangteang pointed out that roads being the basic needs of the people, the State Government should continue to accelerate the construction of roads throughout the state and give more importance on those areas where road connectivity is poor.
He said the government needs to improve road conditions in Mon district. He also stressed on the need to review the duties and functions of VEC in education sector.
He also felt that school inspection is a necessity and that local MLAs also require to visit the schools from time to time to oversee its function and condition.
Panteang also stressed on the need to address and check proxy and bogus teachers across the state. MLA Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu stressed on the need to give more emphasis on public sector undertakings to generate revenue. He said setting realistic project is needed to generate employment and revenue in the state.
