Morung Express News
Kohima | August 16
Nagaland State Governor, PB Acharya held a press conference today in Kohima outlining several issues of concern in the state and the ways to address them.
Expressing unhappiness over the performances of the government schools in Nagaland, Acharya said that at least 95 per cent of the achievers in HSLC and HSSLC are from private schools and private schools have become commercialized.
He lamented that despite having 1854 schools and four universities, hundreds of Naga youngsters go outside for education. He stated that “there has to be rethinking of our University Education.” The Governor suggested exchange programs with other universities.
Acharya announced that Wockhardt Foundation will be sponsoring E-learning in the selected 28 schools in the State by September. The Foundation which has shown interest in strengthening government schools in Nagaland, is a non-profit organization based in Mumbai.
The Governor further informed that ‘Art of Living’ from Bangalore is planning to work towards improvement of education and health in Nagaland with a special concentration in the remote eastern areas. Setting up of institutions in the health and education sectors is a major priority, where services can also be provided to the Nagas across the borders, he added.
Women Reservation
On the implementation of 33 per cent Women Reservation in Urban Local Bodies, the Governor appealed to the Nagaland government to convince the people who have opposed this move. “In Democracy, talking to the government is the most important thing,” said Acharya while admitting that the 33 percent reservation has to be implemented as early as possible.
Lokayukta in Nagaland
Meanwhile, having received memorandums requesting the enactment of the Lokayukta in Nagaland and setting up of Nagaland State Human Rights Commission, and sharing views on the State Vigilance Commission, Acharya said that the action of the Commission should be more transparent and that people should know what is happening.
Peace Process
Regarding the peace talks between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India, Acharya said, “there is a hope that something concrete will come up in the near future.” He further appealed to other groups “also to join in the peace talks so that there won’t be dissension and we can march forward.”
On Development projects
On ongoing developmental projects such as the Medical College in Kohima and the Railway project, Acharya raised the issue of compensation. “The government has acquired land but somewhere the government is not in a position to convince the land holders to give the land for a public purpose. Land holders are asking for more and more compensations. So, the project (Medical College in Kohima) is at standstill now,” said the Governor, while informing that a few landowners have not agreed to receive compensation given by the government.
The Governor informed that he had received a memorandum from residents of Dhansiri stating that “they are not going to give their land with the present compensation system”. He assured that if there is any discrimination of compensation, it will corrected and has appealed for people in the area to cooperate with the authorities and allow the project to be completed within the stipulated time.
