Dimapur, June 24 (MExN): Speaking before an audience consisting of Union Minister for DoNER, B.K. Handique and the Chief Ministers of North Eastern States, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio appealed that it was ‘imperative’ for all the States of the NE region to come together and help each other in resolving the problems that confront the region. “Instead of blaming each other, ideas could be exchanged and experiences shared to help expedite the peace process that has been initiated in Nagaland and through it, find solutions to the problems faced by the other states”, Rio stated in his address on Wednesday at Shillong. Rio also suggested that the DoNER Minister, who is from the region, could use his good offices to be a spokesman for the people of the region and to urge for early solution to the various problems of the region. “I also call on the central leadership to take all possible measures to bring about a speedy solution to the decades old insurgency which is becoming a major stumbling block for the prosperity of our people and an impediment for our overall growth”, Rio stated.
The Nagaland CM also raised the issue of problems confronting the region as a whole. “Lack of infrastructure, the distance from the mainland economy, the land locked geographical location and the difficult terrain are recognized as the basic problems for development of the North East”, Rio mentioned while adding that the problems are however, not insurmountable and the recent release of the document “North Eastern Region Vision 2020’ by none else than the Prime Minister of India gave hope that the region will see speedy development and bring the economy at par with the rest of the country and the world.
Rio also urged the present DoNER Minister to continue with the attempt to define more clearly the Look East Policy of India and to concretize this policy in the context of the NE Region of India through strengthening our links with neighbouring countries especially ASEAN countries and also China, Korea and Japan.
Pointing out that the security situation of States play a vital role, Rio informed that Nagaland has adopted the theme “Peace for Development and Development for Peace’ for a variety of reasons. “Lack of economic opportunities is the basic reason why the young people are exposed to an atmosphere of a ‘guns culture’. The long-term effects of these and other negative influences are detrimental to the entire society of the NE region, and needs to be addressed with all seriousness”, Rio stated while reminding that they are also not State specific issues anymore but “becoming inter State problems”. The plight of Zeme Nagas in North Cachar Hills for instance, is one of the most recent developments that is a matter of great concern for both Nagaland and Assam, Rio informed the gathering.
Rio was also hopeful that both DoNER and the NEC would endeavour towards speedy economic development of the region with adequate monetary support. Rio termed as unfortunate that the budgets of the NEC and even funds under the NLCPR are inadequate to fulfill “our needs and aspirations”. This issue has been discussed at several meetings of the NEC but till today there is no satisfying response from the central government, Rio stated
It was also pointed out that for development, it was equally important to tap not only domestic resources of funding available from G.O.I but also from established international financial institutions. Rio informed that the ADB funded projects for Nagaland is not materializing despite efforts to comply with all their requirements. Rio suggested that perhaps DoNER could make more efforts both with the DEA as also with the ADB for expediting the projects. While giving his views and comments on the draft guidelines on NLCPR, the Nagaland CM reminded that most of the economies of the north eastern states are totally dependent on agriculture. Stating that in Nagaland, more than 80% of its population depends on the agricultural economy, Rio called on the DoNER to also look into ways and means to bolster this important primary sector. “This will be increasingly more important as issues of climate change will soon affect our food security”, Rio stated while informing that the situation in Nagaland was very grim this year. “Our State is witnessing 60% deficiency in this year’s monsoon. Since this appears to be regional phenomenon, it will perhaps be incumbent on DONER to take this issue seriously”, Rio stated.
