Nagaland Governor P.B.Acharya said the visit of prime minister Narendra Modi to Nagaland on December 1,2014 highlighted the importance the centre attached to the state for its progress.
Addressing an impressive function marking the 66th Republic day celebration at Civil Secretariat here Monday, after unfurling the national tri-colour, the Governor reiterated that peace was a pre-requisite for progress of any society.
He said even as civil society yearned for peace, the government of India and Naga underground factions have been holding talks to being about an amicable settlement.
The Governor reiterated that the government would continue to play the role of facilitator and pursue an early solution to the Naga political problem so as to achieve a permanent peace. On the law and order situation in the state, he said it remained peaceful barring incidents of violence in the inter-state border with Assam, particularly in Ralan area.However, he said timely intervention by district administration and police and meetings between chief ministers and chief secretaries of the two states, prevented further escalation of tension.
The Governor highlighted the rich bio-diversity of the state and urged for a combined efforts by all stakeholders to protect its rich bio-diversity.
He said people of Nagaland were largely dependent on agriculture and pointed out that in his speech, prime minister Narendra Modi highlighted the potential for organic farming that needed to be tapped in the state and the north eastern states. Admitting that the state was going through financial difficulties, the Governor expressed optimism that the report of the 14thFinance Commission submitted to the central government would be more favourable for the state.
He however pointed out that the award would not be able to meet all the needs of the state unless the state substantially increased its revenue itself .The Governor mentioned that the taxation department has set a target of Rs. 326 crores during this year and said in this connection, state government has initiated mandatory issuance of statutory tax forms besides other optional e-services like e-payment and e-returns.
In his speech, the Governor also mentioned that food productivity in Nagaland increased from 700 kilograms per hectare in 1963-64 to 2,267 kilograms per hectare in 2013-14 Other highlights included 155 irrigation projects to be taken up during the year for irrigation potential of 8,835 hectares at a cost of Rs.112 crore and 13 new projects sanctioned under Integrated Watershed Development Programme covering 53,000 hectares for implementation in the next five years. For income generating opportunities to farmers, two centres of excellence would be set up-one for flowers at Hamlu Hangphoi village in Mon district and the other for temperate crops in Pfutsero besides setting up five farmers’ schools with technical know-how.
He also said the state veterinary department had assisted 125 piggery farmers, 45 poultry farmers, 30 goateries to increase meat production and that fish production would be increased to 7700 metric tons in 2015. Under the flagship of National Afforestation programme, 4000 hectares would be covered. Various other development projects being undertaken by various government departments were also highlighted in the Governor’s Republic day speech.
He also informed that 22 government high schools were upgraded to higher secondary schools and 52 permits issued during 2013-14 for establishing new private schools. He also said under SCERT , Teacher Eligibility Test is conducted and establishment of 17 study centres to train 5000 teachers for three years so as to improve quality of teaching. He said Kohima Science College has also been upgraded to autonomous college status.
Another focus of the speech was the call for commitment to meet the challenges with renewed energy and dedication towards realising the vision of a better future “for ourselves and our children”.
A total of 19 contingents of the Naga Territorial Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF,IR Battalion including 15 IR Mahila Bn.,NAP,DEF, Civil Defence, NHG,NCC Boys and girls and air squadron, ex-servicemen, school contingents and LFHSS Girls’ Band presented the march past. The programme also included inauguration of exhibition of agriculture products at the venue by the Governor. Among those who attended included several ministers,parliamentary secretaries, MLAs, NPF president Dr.Shürhozelie, officers of the army, police and bureaucrats.
Friday, February 20, 2026