On the second day of the 8th session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), ministers in-charge of various departments responded to several starred and unstarred question raised by members of the opposition bench.
Rs. 246.9 cr sanctioned for Covid: Replying to a starred question raised by NPF legislator Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu, Health & Family Welfare minister, S Pangnyu Phom informed that the government had sanctioned Rs. 246.9 crore for Covid-19 related expenses during 2019-20, where an amount of Rs. 127.33 crore was received by department of Health & Family Welfare and the remaining Rs. 199.57 crore was for expenditure by Home department/NSDMA.
PHE: Replying to starred questions raised by NPF member, Y M Yollow, minister for PHED Jacob Zhimomi informed that the Wakching water supply project was sanctioned during the year 2014-15 with an estimated cost of Rs. 383.01 lakh. He said that the project was expected to be completed by March 2022.
Deputy chief minister, Y Patton replying to NPF member Yitachu’s starred question, stated that an amount of Rs. 304.19 lakh was released so far for the work pertaining to Weziho-Molen road construction with 40% of the overall works completed.
New Model college Wakching: Replying to NPF member YM Yollow, Higher Education minister Temjen Imna Along stated that the department will be in a position to start the first academic session at New Model College, Wakching likely by next year once the State government sanctions approval for creation of the proposed minimum required post for appointment.
Road & Bridges: Answering to the question on the status of Kohima by-pass package-2 of Meriema 500 meters tunnel raised by Kuzholuzo Nienu, deputy CM and minister in-charge of R&B, Y Patton stated that 55meters tunnel excavation works from western portal side has been completed so far.
On Akash Bridge to Kanjang via Lephory road construction, Patton informed the house that a fund amounting to Rs. 1018.42 lakh has been released and the expected date of completion is 31/03/2022. This was in reply to a starred question raised by Yitachu, MLA.
Replying to question raised by Y.M. Yollow, minister in-charge of School Education said that the Government Primary School at Ladigarh was established in 1972 and the school was presently located on the outskirts of Ladigarh village.
Dr. Chotisuh Sazo, NPF MLA raised questions on Covid-19 vaccination to which Health minister said that vaccination was not mandatory in Nagaland and wais voluntary.
PWD: While replying to the unstarred question raised by Kuzholuzo Nienu, deputy CM and minister in-charge of R&B, Y Patton informed that there were 5,167 work charge labourers in the State, PWD (NH)- 130, PWD (R&B)- 4031, PWD (Housing)- 1,006.
TaFMA: Leader of the house, Neiphiu Rio replying to NPF legislator Keneizhakho Nakhro, informed that the strength of staff of Task Force for Music and Arts was eight– project director- 1 (deputation), sound & light engineer- 1 (contract), manager (electronics & power)-1(contract), handyman cum peon- 1 (regular), sweeper cum chowkidar- 1(regular) and contingency- 3.
Border issue: NPF MLA, Y.M. Yollow also raised an unstarred questions on the Assam-Nagaland border & Ladigarh polling station, to which the minister in-charge of Border Affairs informed that the Assam-Nagaland Border issue was sub judice in the Supreme Court of India and the State of Nagaland was defending the suit in all possible manners. Further, he said whenever the situation so warrants, meetings are held between Assam and Nagaland at various levels.
The minister in-charge also informed that the Assam-Nagaland inter-state border were as follows: Mon – 63 Km, Longleng – 9 Km, Mokokchung – 100 Km, Wokha – 117 Km, Kohima – 3 Km, Dimapur – 125 Km and Peren – 96 Km Approx. He stated that Post 1972 Agreement, Doyang & Kakadanga Reserve Forest under Wokha district has the largest area encroached by Assam.
Further, he informed that in the elections conducted, the electors of the Ladigarh Polling Station under 49 A/C Tamlu, were voting at a nearby makeshift camp approximately 1 km away from the school between Ladigarh and Yonglok village as per the directives of the Election Commission of India. He said that Ladigarh village is shown under Assam territory in the map in the website as per the Survey of India map that follows the 1925 boundary line, which is disputed by the State Government.