DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 12 (MExN): In a major embarrassment for the government, the All Nagaland Selected Entrepreneurs Association (ANSEA) has once again questioned as to why the implementation of the Year of Entrepreneur (YOE) 2010-12 cannot take-off even when the matter is being managed at the highest level.
A press note issued by the Convenor ANSEA Temsumongba Sanglir and President ANSEA Kekhriesetuo Michael pointed out that the much talked about DAN Government’s ambitious ‘Year of Entrepreneur’ (2010-12) has once again proved the incompetency of the authorities concern when it comes to realization of its own programmes and policies to uplift the economy of the State.
Further, ANSEA informs all its members that the second phase agitation would set off anytime if the government fails to give a satisfactory and logical answer towards the implementation of YOE. In this regard, all the members are asked to be in readiness for any such eventualities that might be initiated. Stating that it had “waited upon the promise of the Government of Nagaland (GoN) for implementation of the programmes and packages of the YOE for a considerable period of time”, the ANSEA reminded that on April 24, 2012, it had staged a peaceful protest at the Directorate of Industries & Commerce, to urge the authorities to expedite the implementation process.
The press note stated that during the protest, the GoN represented by the Commissioner & Secretary and Director of Industries & Commerce along with other department officers invited the ANSEA officials and apprised the ANSEA of the cabinet meeting that was held on the same day (i.e. 24th April, 2012) and also requested the ANSEA to withhold its protest, assuring that the issue concerning the selected entrepreneurs shall be look into with all seriousness.
Subsequently, ANSEA had decided to withhold its protest to allow the nodal department to implement the programme without any hindrances. Consequent upon this, the GoN did categorize and divide the activities/units proposed by the entrepreneurs department/sector wise to be taken up under the existing schemes of the concern departments, and had notified the list of names of the selected entrepreneurs under various programmes of the line departments, PMEGP, direct financing etc. However, the implementation in the real sense of the term have nevert been made to this far, the ANSEA stated.
Given the fact, the ANSEA have asked the authorities concern, time and again, to clarify its stand on the progress and status as far as the implementation of the YOE is concern, the entrepreneurs have really not received anything positive.
ANSEA highlights certain points for the government
1. The departments where the entrepreneurs are to avail assistance are being denied any assistance, citing reasons that the departments have no schemes/funds to assist such ventures.
2. Banks/Financial Institutions are hesitant on financing the enterprise of the entrepreneurs, insisting that there is no proper intimation/guidelines from the GoN.
3. ANSEA, during its protest, demanded that the phase-wise implementation of the YOE package be done away with and that the implementation be made in a single phase. However, the nodal department, turning a deaf ear to the appeal, left a portion of the entrepreneurs for the ‘next phase’, which the ANSEA feels insecure about, considering the given situation, where, even the already listed ones have not seen the light of day.
4. As per the point (6) of the minutes of the 3rd May meeting, all the department/agencies are to submit an action-taken report. The meeting also decided that a district-wise committee will be constituted to monitor the implementation of the various units as well as to coordinate with the government/concern department. However, ANSEA would like to express its displeasure with the fact that such reports or committees were never initiated, and even if there are any reports or committee formed, the entrepreneurs were never intimated about any such development.
