‘PM won’t say No to needs of Nagas’

Kohima, July 24 (DIPR): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio hosted a dinner on behalf of the state to outgoing Governor of Nagaland, K Sankaranarayanan on July 23 at the State Banquet Hall. The humble, soft-spoken but sagacious governor gave a parting assurance to the people of his help in whatever he can even after he leaves the state. Sankaranarayanan expressed optimism that even the Prime Minister will not say no to the needs of the people of Nagaland. Sankaranarayanan said he and his lady wife were happy being in Nagaland. 

The outgoing governor was of the view that Nagaland state is not a poor state inspite of not being like Jhrakhand which has annual revenue of Rs. 4300 crores. He lamented that Nagaland is functioning without any revenue at present and requires development to change this status. The governor said he was “so happy here” and that he got so much support as the governor. As a word, he stressed on the need for the government in exercising transparency, stringency and expediency in expenditure, which he claimed he had exercised to set an example during his tenure in the Raj Bhavan. 

Earlier, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio recounted the short tenure of the governor in the state. In his words, the governor was received by the people in 2007 with joy and is being sent off with heavy hearts. The governor has endeared himself to the people as a seasoned, matured, dedicated, upright, straightforward, genuine, uninhibited and a person of integrity, Rio said. He called Sankaranarayanan down to earth, by being in proximity with the people, traveling to the rural areas and gathering first hand interactions.

The governor in his farewell address said he never dreamt of becoming the governor of a state called Nagaland. He knew little about the state, although he was briefed of the Naga insurgency problem, prior to his two and half years as the governor, Sankaranarayanan said. Revealing his reading on the political status of the state, the governor said “I am sure and I am serious, Rio is not going to vacate the CMs chair, unlike in Jharkhand where in ten years already nine chief ministers have been there” and is under President’s Rule. The outgoing governor said he has met many leaders in the state and found Rio a very shrewd man.