Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 7
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has stated that the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government in Nagaland is committed to the development of villages in the state.
Rio was speaking during a thanksgiving programme of the Nationalist Democratic People’s Party (NDPP) at the Niathu Resort in Chumukedima on April 7.
“We all belong to the village and we are very committed to the development of villages,” Rio stated.
The Nagaland CM informed that an all-Nagaland VDB and Village Council Conference has been called in Kohima on April 24 where the state government will be distributing funds to them directly.
During the conference, Rio informed that the government will be giving them three years balance fund which were not paid to them – VDB grant, pension grant etc. Rio also promised special programmes for farmers to uplift their economy. “Therefore, those funds must be judiciously utilized for village development,” Rio maintained.
The Nagaland Chief Minister, however stated that the top priority of his PDA government is to ensure early solution to the Indo-Naga political solution. “It is my hope and dream that this issue is resolved during my time,” Rio stated while promising to play an active role towards this end. “If solution comes, we will not stand in the way,” the Nagaland CM stated adding that his council of ministers will step aside “any day.”
Rio further appealed to elected members of the party to carry forward the assignments so that the party’s manifestoes and government programmes reach the lowest and furthest corners of the state.
Harping on the NDPP-BJP alliance’s slogan of “Change is Coming,” Rio informed that a Common Minimum Programme of the alliance will soon be ready and said, “We will together bring change – change for the better.”
The Nagaland CM also urged party leaders to attend assembly sessions – particularly during the budget sessions and debate. “It is interesting to listen to the sides of both opposition and ruling bench,” Rio said. On the development front, Rio stated that a lot of expectations has been placed with the PDA government. As such, he urged the leaders to ensure that works – particularly in the road sector – are being done in all the districts.
Others who spoke during the programme included NDPP, President Chingwang Konyak, Secretary General ,Abu Metha, and Working President, Alemtemshi Jamir.
