Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 28
The Nagaland Special Development Zone (NSDZ) is a “chance for us to reach for the stars”, according to former Nagaland Chief Secretary Alemtemshi Jamir.
The rights of the people over the land should be safeguarded but at the same time make Nagaland compatible with the rest of the world, Jamir opined, speaking as a panelist at the Business Summit held at the Agri Expo Centre on Tuesday.
The panel discussion on the topic “Nagaland Special Development Zones in the Foothills” was part of the ongoing Nagaland International Trade Expo being organised by the Business Association of Nagas (BAN) in collaboration with the Government of Nagaland.
“We really haven’t moved forward since Statehood”, he said. The former bureaucrat found flaws in the “development concept” of Nagas arguing that it is “Government oriented” where everything must come from the government.
Jamir insisted on the need for NSDZ stating it “is not in contravention with existing land laws”. “The idea is to create enclaves for the NSDZ where land laws are relaxed,” Jamir, who was one of persons to have written the NSDZ concept note, said. “Make land a commodity – so that people can trade.”
He pointed out that land is already a commodity in Dimapur and claimed that those opposing the NSDZ are buying land in Dimapur for the very same reason. Further stating that urbanization is going on “whether we like it or not”, Jamir maintained that, “It is up to us to make ourselves grow.” “For us to grow, we need investments.”
Lok Sabha MP and former Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio graced the Summit as the Chief Guest was also a panel member.
Stating that there were a lot of impediments to development in the State, he blamed the land-locked terrains, bad connectivity, ethnic problems and insurgency, besides finding fault with the land laws existing in the State.
“We still have a long way to go. We don’t have conducive atmosphere for local or international investment,” the three-time Chief Minister viewed while also finding fault at the Naga society, which he remarked, is suffering from a “degrading work culture” and a “huge dependency syndrome”.
Regarding the NSDZ, he stated that in 2013-14 many consultative meetings were taken up in various platforms and remarked that it was a pertinent subject. “If the issue could be further debated among the business community, entrepreneurs, village leaders, civil societies, it will be good,” he added.
Theja Therieh of the Nagaland Tribes Council countered the Lok Sabha MP stating the “State is infested with unscrupulous leaders”. This, he cited was one of the reasons why it is better to continue keeping the land with the “Land Owners themselves and not with Government.”
While making it clear that he was not there to object to the concept of the NSDZ, Therieh added that there were some “objectionable clauses” which needed to be properly examined by legal experts before it is implemented. he lamented adding that the government of the day is not protecting the rights of the indigenous people.
Dr. Salikyu Sangtam, Assistant Professor, St. Joseph University opined that a huge role needs to be played by the State Government. However, he also made the point that the government alone is not possible to bring about development.
Citing the SEZs in Tamil Nadu and China, he said, “The benefits of NSDZ far outweigh the limitations” and called for proper study to attract foreign investment.
Imkong Walling, Principal Correspondent of The Morung Express, insisted that the Government get its basics right. Pointing to the lack of proper roads and the erratic power supply, he questioned how the NSDZ would function when the State is struggling to maintain the existing basic infrastructures.
Citing the present road conditions, he asked, “Do we have the basic requirement as to support and sustain a project of this magnitude?” while reminding that he NSDZ as conceptualised will require all-weather road connectivity. “Are we also confident enough as to electrify the ‘special development zones, while in reality we cannot even meet the basic demand of ordinary consumers.”
“The Government never fails to disappoint,” Walling remarked and pointed to the delayed Foothill road construction which got underway in 2013, the International Trade Centres along the Myanmar border, and the Ganeshnagar Industrial Growth Centre in Dimapur district.
NSDZ is not only about the perceived threat to indigenous land, he offered as a conclusion, but a general lack of trust of the people. “Win the trust of the people and everything else will fall into place.”
The session was moderated by Mongkum Jamir, MD, Symbios Pvt Ltd & Treasurer, BAN.
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