KOHIMA, AUG 1 (DIPR): Union Minister for DoNER, Panchayati Raj, Youth Affairs and Sports, Mani Shankar Aiyar inaugurated the new office of the Commissioner, Nagaland on August 1. The Union Minister lauded the contractors, engineers and the concerned departments for the good workmanship, and for judicious utilization of funds, terming it as cost effective. Government would do anything to support creation of assets if funds are utilized properly for long lasting assets, he further commented.
The DoNER Minister also expressed confidence that the ceasefire agreement would pave way for permanent peace settlement. Earlier, Mani Shankar Aiyar, who was the chief guest took the guard of honour from Village Guards, Nagaland and unveiled the plaque of the new building.
State Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio in his short speech said that this new magnificent office building of Commissioner is a landmark for the state of Nagaland. He hoped that with the inauguration of the new office building, the officers and staff will work with renewed vigour, sincerity, loyalty and dedication for the well being of the state as a whole.
Stating that Civil Administration and Police Administration go hand in hand in tackling the unique situation that is prevailing for a long time in the state, Rio said that a proposal had been submitted to the Government of India for sanctioning District Administration Modernization Scheme, in line with the Police Modernization Scheme for which he regretted that till date no positive response is forth coming. Nagaland Commissioner’s Office, being the Head Office of Civil Administration, had administered and overseen the turbulent period of the state for the past five decades and will now also be the Headquarters of the Village Guards Organisation, Rio said. This unique force which has been known as “the Guardian of the Frontier Villages” today has strength of almost 10,000 personnel, with Nagaland Commissioner functioning as the Commandant General, he added. The office would also house the organising cell, known as the Civil Administrative Work Division, the Directorate of Border Affairs and the State Election Commissioner’s office.
Rio lauded the Village Guards for performing commendable job in defending the integrity of the nation as well as the security of villages, which has even earned them the coveted Ashok Chakra for their bravery, heroism and distinguished services.
Pointing out that VGs are paid a meager monthly remuneration of Rs. 500/- per month he felt that it is not commensurate with the job they do so well. In this regard he voiced that the proposal submitted to the Government of India to bring this unique organisation under the Modernization Scheme needs to be considered on urgent basis.
Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner Nagaland, T.N. Mannen presented the introductory speech wherein he said that the completion of the new office of Commissioner is a fulfillment of a long felt need and termed it as an achievement of the DAN Government. The new office covers a plinth area of 30,000 square feet and has been completed at a cost of Rs. 6 crores and 37 lakhs, he said. State Chaplain, Rev. Deo Vihienuo offered the invocation while the Chief Secretary, Nagaland, Lalhuma chaired the programme.
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