On the second day of the ongoing session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) on February 27, ministers in-charge of various departments responded to several starred and supplementary questions raised by members of the house.
Responding to a query raised by NPF legislator Kuzholuzo Neinu on the status of the two-lane road from Kohima to Jessami, deputy chief minister (i/c National Highways) TR Zeliang stated that the commencement date for the project was specified to EPC contractor M/s Ratna Infrastructure Projects Pvt Ltd, and appointed on January 5, 2024, whereas the completion date was January 3, 2026 and mentioned obstacles faced. He said the NHIDCL and contractors were expected to initiate the work but encountered certain hindrances.
Zeliang mentioned obstacles arising from landowners, specifically 280 m and three areas in Kohima district, and 170 m in pockets of Phek, expressing worries due to immovable structures by local land owners and seeking higher compensation charges. He assured that the contractors would initiate the project once these issues were addressed and requested the members involved to handle the impediments immediately.
On the balance work order amount, he said the original work sanctioned to contractor M/s KCPL was Rs 355.79 crore, which was the first allotment, and the second work order amount was Rs 202 crore, adding that the balance amount for second contractor work was Rs 69 crore.
The physical progress of the terminated contract was 58.08%, while the financial progress of the terminated contract was 54.08%. He said the balance work for the project was awarded to M/s Ratna infrastructure Projects Pvt Ltd.
Illegal coal mining: Replying to a question, chief minister Neiphiu Rio disclosed that there were 45 coal mining license holders in coal-bearing districts of Wokha, Mokokchung, Longleng, Tuensang and Mon.
Highlighting numerous cases of illegal coal mining, legislator Nuklutoshi expressed concern over the negative impact of mining on water bodies and environment.
Rio acknowledged the inherent risks in mining, and outlined the shared responsibility of licence holders, village authorities, and the government, emphasising post-mining obligations like feeling up depressions, preventing pollution, and promoting vegetation growth.
He said these efforts should be funded by the contractors, not the government. He however assured that, if necessary, the government would intervene, and hold landowners and contractors accountable for pollution since it was a serious matter.
The deputy chief minister cited the ongoing efforts to raise awareness about illegal coal mining, emphasising periodic communication to the public and village councils. He highlighted the unique land-holding system in Nagaland, granting individuals the exclusive right to use their land and resources under Article 371(A).
He acknowledged the challenges faced by the government in enforcing mining rules due to this system, making it difficult for the government to hold people accountable. Hence, he urged elected representatives from coal-bearing regions to be conscious of the potential hazards and emphasised education.
Noting that individuals in these regions often engaged in small-scale coal-related businesses, he said coal transportation outside the state was restricted to licence holders only as per the state’s coal mining policy. He stressed streamlining the process with the support of elected representatives from the coal-bearing regions.
Adding to the reply, Information & Public Relations and Soil & Water Conservation adviser L Imkong Imchen said the Department of Soil & Water Conservation had initiated a pilot project aimed at revitalising mined soils using specific microbes. He mentioned that the project was submitted to the state-level sanctioning committee for onward transmission to the Jal Shakti Mission. He disclosed that the project, endorsed by the state-level sanctioning committee, recently obtained the ministry’s approval.
Imchen mentioned that once the necessary formalities were completed, the department would transform it into a pilot initiative. He said, if successful, it could be the first of its kind in India, spanning eight locations in the country initially. Further, if it succeeded at the state level, he said the Centre might consider implementing it in other regions.
Hornbill adds to state exchequer: Replying to a starred question of NPF legislator Achumbemo Kikon, Tourism minister Temjen Imna Along claimed that the Hornbill Festival added to the state exchequer.
From Rs 5.50 crore allocated to the Tourism Department by the state government in 2023 to organise the Hornbill Festival, Along revealed that Rs 17,11,980 was added to the state exchequer from various heads during the festival, which was about 3.1% of the total allocated money. However, he clarified that revenue generation from the festival was not a priority of the government. He pointed out that this could be considered as a beneficial trait since the allocation of government fund generated return more than 20 times for economic partners of the festival, which infused into the local economy.
Replying to supplementary question of Kikon, the minister further stated that the Hornbill Festival was one of the popular festivals and had become Nagaland’s Identity. He pointed out that the growth in its popularity could be seen throughout the country.
He admitted that not much revenue was generated because of the landownership issues over entry fee, bathroom fee at the venue and others, but assured that the government was working for better mechanism to generate revenue. He claimed that every individual involved in the Hornbill Festival was able to generate revenue from tourists and expand their business. He also claimed that all the sponsorships were transparent and clarified that pilferage did not happen in organising the festival.
School Education: Replying to starred question of NPF legislator Kuzholuzo Nienu, Rio, who is also in charge of School Education Department, revealed that there were 1,672 sanctioned state cadre posts of graduate teachers (GTs) in 247 government high schools (GHs) and 645 GTs in 52 government higher secondary schools (GHSS).
According to the minister, there were 212 GTs in 17 GHS in Kohima district, 124 GTs in 22 GHS in Zunheboto district, 250 GTs in 38 GHS in Mokokchung district, 158 GTs in 15 GHS in Tuensang district, 91 GTs in 16 GHS in Mon district.
Replying to a supplementary question of Nienu, Rural Development minister Metsübo Jamir said GHs and GHSS were functioning without Social Science teachers because Social Science was a general subject like Hygiene, General Science and Environment, which Science and English teachers could teach. Hence, he said the government did not see the need to appoint separate Social Science teachers, but assured that the department would rationalise the sanctioned posts in all GHS and GHSS.
Railway: Replying to Kikon on the present status of extension of railway line from Furkating railway station (Assam) to Baghty town (47.4 km), Health minister (former Railway minister) P Paiwang Konyak said a feasibility study had been competed, adding that the project would commence after execution of final location survey and sanctioning of detailed project report.
He however assured that the department would take up the project discussion at the earliest and try to sort out the issues delaying the project.
Commenting on the matter, chief minister Neiphiu Rio highlighted the importance of road and railway connectivity in ushering economic development in the State and said that the government would definitely work towards establishing the railway line in question.
“Where the Foothill Road and railway line go, there would be increased connectivity, resulting in more economic activities,” he pointed out.
Assuring the House to pursue the issues, Rio requested the people nearby to come down to the foothills for starting economic activities. He claimed that the region had so much potential, adding that the railways and road would bring a massive change and transform the local economy and society.
Replying to a starred question raised by NPP legislator A Nyamnyei Konyak regarding railway line between Dimapur and Tizit, the minister in-charge, Paiwang Konyak, highlighted three observations regarding the railway connectivity issue. Firstly, the project received approval in 2013, along with a one-time token grant of Rs 4274 crore, which was earmarked and approved and with the Railway Board submitted the approval to the Planning Commission in 2013. Currently, with no Planning Commission at the centre, the proposal is awaiting final approval in NITI AYOG.
Secondly, he clarified that Dimapur-Tizit was not designated as a national project. He stated that it lacks assurance as a railway line was already running parallel from Dimapur to Tinsukia and expressed concerns about the potential low volume of passengers and revenue return for the Dimapur-Tizit route.
Thirdly, Konyak mentioned that the Railways Ministry urged the department to accelerate the project if the state could bear 50% of the project cost. However, he said that it would be a substantial amount for the state to agree to at this point. The second proposal from the Ministry involved the state providing land free of cost and in response, a Cabinet meeting on June 28, 2018, was held, where local MLAs in areas affected by the railway line engaged in discussions with tribal leaders where in Mon district, Tribal Hohos affirmed not charging compensation routes passing through the forest but expressed the opinion that compensation should be provided for areas undergoing development.
Landowners in Mokokchung district have classified two types of compensations with undeveloped areas, such as forest lands, are eligible for compensation, while developed areas are also to be compensated.
While for the Lotha Hohos in Wokha had opposed the parallel railway line within their jurisdiction. Konyak said that a railway line already ran parallel to that route and reports from Dimapur and Longleng regarding the matter were pending, and efforts were being made by the department to ensure the project’s initiation.
Home Minister and Deputy CM, Y Patton clarified the statement of Konyak and stated that Lotha Hoho never opposed the issue. He clarified that their demand was for the completion of the Foothill road as a longstanding concern. Additionally, they asserted that they would not demand compensation, and for railway projects, they would allow unhindered progress without any restrictions.
PHED: Responding to NPF legislator Kuzholuzo Neinu’s query on the appointment of 829 operation and maintenance (O&M) staff, district/tribe wise and criteria, under Public Health Engineering Department (PHE), the minister for PHE, Jacob Zhimomi acknowledged that 829 O&M staff were appointed. He said the O&M were unskilled labour and that no prescribed educational qualifications were specified for applicants. He said that the departmental screening committee was constituted for the recruitment.
Further, after completion of two years, they would be subjected to suitability test.
He also that the ongoing assessment was not final and would be conducted in phases, aligning with district requirements and government approval.
Jacob said that based on divisional department recommendations, action will be taken to address deprivation in certain districts and highlighted a slight priority given to bifurcated districts like Chümoukedima and Niuland, as well as Zunheboto and a few others. He, however, assured that this was the conclusive exercise, stating a mandate from the work charged and casual employees commission to limit the Power and PHED departments to 2000.
In the next phase, the minister said districts would be considered based on recommendations from district department in-charges for appropriate action.
Azo pointed out that out of 829 posts, 426 were appointed for Sumi tribe and the rest of the tribes consisted of 403. He said that Zunheboto district alone had 147 O&M.
He highlighted that the birth of Phek, Wokha, Zunheboto, and Mon districts were at the same time while comparatively, Wokha, Zunheboto, and Phek were expected to have similar population census ratios, while Mon was anticipated to have a higher ratio. However, Azo observed disparities in the distribution of O&M posts with Phek and Mon had 28 and 23 posts respectively, Wokha 27, Longleng 10, Kiphire 24, Kohima 21, Tuensang 170, and Zunheboto 147 and questioned the rationale behind having a significant number of O&M posts in Zunheboto and a comparatively lower number in other districts.