Dimapur, January 6 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) manifesto for the upcoming Nagaland state assembly election was released here today at the Congress Bhavan by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki. Among the points mentioned include implementing the “unimplemented points of the 16 Point Agreement of 1960 between the Government of India and the Naga Peoples Convention.
On the Naga issue it has stated that it will endeavor to solve the Naga political problem through “peaceful and constitutional means”. It also vows to act as an effective instrument to urge the Government of India to find a solution to the Indo-Naga political issue “within a time-frame”.
Speaking on the occasion, AICC general secretary and Nagaland in-charge, Luizinho Faleiro, said, “If the Congress forms government, it will work for development, peace and progress, as well as clean, transparent and good governance.”
The Congress leaders came from Guwahati via a helicopter that landed in Mokokchung first. “This is an important election for the people of Nagaland to change its leadership, economic policies and bring development to the state,” said Nabam Tuki in his speech, also calling for unity among party workers and leaders.
Referring to the state manifesto, and clarifying that it should be read with the Congress national manifesto, Faleiro stated the Congress’ focus will be on youth, with Rahul Gandhi leading the way. He stressed on the lack of medical, engineering or any other state-of-the-art institutions in Nagaland. While the manifesto seeks to provide education to all children, and better access to higher education, it also stresses on strengthening of Teachers’ Training institutes.
While assuring to take care of the power sector through coal-based and hydro projects, the manifesto also promises to lift the condition of the unemployed of the state by introducing ‘unemployed allowances’ and creation of self-employment avenues, as well as better education facilities.
The Congress also claims to implement all 16 National Flagship Schemes and direct cash transfer in MGNREGA as promised by the UPA.
Raising the issue of the 6th Revision of Pay (ROP), the manifesto claims to “deliver justice wherever found wanting” to forced retirees and has also termed the two-tier system of retirement age adopted by the DAN as a “biased political decision”.
Highlighting corruption in the state by the DAN government, Faleiro also said that the per capita debt of the state stands at Rs. 10,000. “Only Congress can bring the state out of this debt trap,” he said. The national party’s state manifesto has also proposed to set up Lokayukta (Anti-Corruption Commission) in the state.
The manifesto aspires to bring unity to Nagaland vis-à-vis the demand for Frontier Nagaland. For this, it has detailed a ‘special dispensation’ for ENPO areas which include a ‘special blue-print economic development plan’, a separate ‘mini-secretariat’ to established in consultation with the people of the area, a separate planning board etc.
With regards administration, it focuses on making the administrative more responsive to contemporary challenges, as well as for the better implementation of development and welfare schemes.
The state manifesto claims to “bear the cost of treatment of unfortunate patients with terminal sicknesses like cancer, serious patients with organ failure, physically challenged etc.” by tying up with health insurance agencies. Widows and senior citizens above 60 are being promised with a minimum pension of Rs. 1000 per month. It also seeks to “restructure and reorganize” the healthcare delivery system.
