Dimapur, Dec 16 (MExN): Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Nagaland state, Wangyuh Konyak has demanded of the central government that more (backward) districts be added under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA, 2005) ‘so that it would be a boon for the state’s rural areas’.
In a latest meeting, MP Konyak met with Union Minister for Ministry of Rural Development, Raghuvan Prasad, and discussed on the National Rural Development Guarantee Act (NREGA, 2005). Wangyuh Konyak advised the Union Minister that there should be more backward districts added to the program, since only Mon district is “enjoying such facilities” according to a circular from the MP’s Press Secretary Kedi Haralu. If the department continues its policy of targeting only one district for five years, it would take more then fifty five years to cover all the districts of Nagaland, Konyak contented. The MP’s suggestion was if a few districts could be clubbed, it would be a boon for those living in the rural areas in Nagaland.
The Lok Sabha MP also put up un-starred questions to the House on December 13, to the Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways, “on the numerous promises by numerous parties during the past and the present” on the proposed four-lane road from Dimapur to Kohima. The MP questioned whether the four-lane has been approved by the Government and if so, whether or not the technical formalities involved have been completed, whether tender for execution of the work has been floated and if not, the reasons why and lastly the time estimated the construction of the project would commence from.
In his reply to Konyak’s queries, the Union Minister in charge for Shipping, Road Transport & Highways, said the Government has approved implementation of a four-lane highway between Dimapur and Kohima (NH 39) under Phase-A of accelerated Road Development Program in the Northeast (SARDP-NE). The Minster also said in his reply that works for preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) by consultants is in progress. However on Konyak’s query on the time estimated for commencement of work, the Union Minister replied that it was too early to indicate time by which construction of the project could commence and completed as it would depend on the response of bidders under BOT (Annuity) scheme, under which the highway would be taken up.
