Morung Express News
Kohima | October 29
On the second day of his maiden visit to Nagaland, Union Minister of State (MoS) for Panchayati Raj, Kapil Moreshwar Patil reiterated that the central government and the Prime Minister’s focus are on the development of the Northeast region.
In line with the special emphasis on development of the region, the MoS said that Central Ministers' visit to NE states to inspect and review the status of central government schemes will include meetings and interactions with various sections of the society through which their feedback and inputs would be collected and considered while formulating decisions and expediting sustainable development process in the region.
Speaking at a press conference on October 29, the MoS highlighted Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s commitment to make Mahatma Gandhi’s ‘dream India’ of making every village self-sustainable a reality, and urged those in attendance to work towards development of the villages in the State.
He mentioned that under the recommendation of the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV-FC), Nagaland has been allocated Rs 125 cr as Rural Local Body Grants for the year 2020-21.
Commending the works done by traditional local bodies in the State, the MoS made special mention of the community contribution towards development initiatives in the state, and expressed happiness that instead of being dependent on the government, the people are also working together towards development.
The MoS further acknowledged the state government for implementing the central schemes for development in the Nagaland.
Highlighting various schemes of the central government, the MoS also spoke on the SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) scheme and stressed the benefits of having a property card which would facilitate using property as a financial asset by villagers for availing loans and other financial benefits. It may be mentioned that the scheme was launched by PM Modi on April 24, 2020 as a Central Sector Scheme to promote a socio-economically empowered and self-reliant rural India.
Stating that the response in other states have been good so far, he urged the Nagaland government to implement the scheme at the earliest and avail the mentioned benefits.
Patil assured of the Central government’s willingness and commitment towards helping Nagaland develop, and as such, urged the state government to take initiatives towards the same.
He also urged the media fraternity to help in spreading awareness on various schemes and programmes of the government to the public and facilitate development in the State.
The MoS informed that the report of his two-day visit to the State would be shared with the Prime Minister on his return to Delhi and expressed confidence that the PM would take the observations into account and initiate further developmental steps.
On Friday, the MoS visited Kigwema village under Kohima district and also held a meeting with the Village functionaries and sportspersons at Hotel de Oriental Grand.
In Kigwema, Patil said that he was overwhelmed by the warm traditional welcome accorded to him by the villagers. He assured that the Government of India and the Ministry of the Panchayati Raj would consistently support development of Nagaland. Earlier, VDB Secretary, Kigwema, Ruokuovikho Chale presented an overview of Kigwema Village Development Management Board. Bank Sakhi/MBK VLO, Neisanino presented a detailed report on Kigwema VLOS and SHGs under NSRLM, financial reports and inclusions, Institutional building and capacity building, social inclusion and development, livelihood activities and interventions etc.
Advisor, Technical Education & Election, Medo Yhokha acknowledged the Minister and his entourage for showing their genuine concern and love for the people of Nagaland.
Later, Patil unveiled the foundation stone of Sanstriti Kendra cum Development of Playground in the presence of Minister, Rural Development, Metsubo Jamir.
Interacting with Village functionaries and sportspersons at Hotel de Oriental Grand, the MoS asked the village councils to apprise the ministry on various issues and difficulties faced by them in implementing the schemes and programmes at the village and block levels.
He expressed happiness to see that the traditional local bodies in Nagaland are performing well in the state, especially the women taking active part in it, which he opined, will immensely help in the progress of the State.
The village councils and members highlighted the problems faced by the villagers and appealed to him to look into the matters such as sports facility, water facility, connectivity and banking.
Chairman Kohima Village Council Helievi-o Solo; VDB Secretary, Roko Angami; Women chairperson, Khono Kora; Village council Member, Khevisa Chale; Women VDBs, Abi Chadi and Liya Semp; VDB members David Kemp, Noumvulhoulie and Philip Kent and Olympian Chekrovolu Swuro participated in the meeting, as per a DIPR report.
