Following reports that Nagaland was the worst performing State in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index 2020, planning & coordination, land revenue and parliamentary affairs minister Neiba Kronu clarified that, though the expectations of the people could not be fulfilled, the State was not the worst performing State and assured that the state government was trying its best to improve in all sectors.
Addressing the media at his office chamber at civil secretariat here on Thursday, Kronu admitted that the government could not meet the expectations of the people in many ways, but clarified that Nagaland was definitely not the worst performing State and was trying its best to improve in many areas.
He claimed that in the SDG Index 2020, Sikkim performed well with 71% among the North Eastern States, followed by Mizoram with 68%, Tripura 65%, Manipur 64%, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Nagaland (all with 61%) and Assam with 57%.
Kronu also referred to the statement of NITI Aayog adviser (SGDs) Sanyukta Samaddar on August 17 during the launch of “Vision 2030” at Kohima that the country would achieve SDGs only if States steered the entire process and become leaders in taking this down to districts, blocks and village levels. He claimed that she had also remarked that Nagaland fared well in well in clean water and sanitation, poverty eradication, clean energy, sustainable consumption and production, peace justice and strong institutions and hoped that State’s position would improve the performance on ground in the coming years.
He acknowledged that the State could not perform well in some areas, adding that some districts like Zunheboto and Longleng needed to improve. However, Kiphire being an aspirational district, he claimed that all efforts were being made to bring it on a par with rest of the districts, while Noklak being a new district needed to pick up too.
He remarked that SDG Index served as an eye opener to see where attention had to be given and assured that the government would exercise its mind for sectorial allocation during the budget session.
Referring to the SDG index mentioning about land issue for developmental aspects, Kronu said a draft on land reform Bill was being prepared. But as the issue involved Article 371 (A), he mentioned that opinions from legal experts were being sought, adding that the Bill was expected to be presented in the next Assembly session.
On the SDG report stressing on conducting elections to urban local bodies (ULB), he said a system should be brought about where all men and women could agree for election.
He pointed out that as Nagaland could not participate in the second and third Five-year Plans due to insurgency, the State lagged behind and stressed that resolving the Naga political issue was pertinent.