The third session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) which began on February 21 concluded on Tuesday. Following were some of the highlights of the budget session.
Roads project under Bharat Mala: Deputy chief minister, Y. Patton who is also in-charge of Home and National Highways, told the State assembly that five consultancy services for new National Highways in Nagaland were taken up for preparation of feasibility study and Detail Project Report (DPR).
Patton said this while replying to an unstarrted question raised by opposition member, Yitachu on the numbers of new highways taken up through open e-tendering and roads projected under Bharat Mala. He said that the new national highways were NH-702 from Longleng-Longching-Mon-Tizit-Namtola covering 143 km, 702, NH-702 B covering 104 km from Aboi to Tuensang, NH-D covering 78.5 km, NH-329 A, 229 covering 49 km from Pimla-Junction, Diphu on NH-329, subjail junction on NH-36 to NH-129 A via Thahekhu and Chumukedima to Dimapur bypass and NH-702 A covering 226 km from Mokokchung-Zunheboto & Chazuba to Meluri on NH-702 A under NH (O).
Patton said that as far as roads projected under Bharat Mala, the international connectivity roads in Nagaland stretch from Avankhu-Jessami, from Jessami to Akegwo covering 58 km (2 lane) and international connectivity roads in Nagaland from Kohima to Avankhu and road stretch from Akegwo to Avangkhu, 91 km (2 lane).
On economic corridors in Nagaland, Patton said that the stretch started from Numaligarh-Dimapur-Kohima-Imphal, Khatkati-Chumukedima with 23 km (4 lane), Chumukedima-Jharnapani with 12 km (4 lane), Jharnapani NH-29 with 16 km (4 lane), NH-29 Nagaland-Zubza with 16 km (4 lane), Zubza-Kohima with 36 km (4 lane) and Kohima- Jessami- Urkhul- Imphal road stretch from Kohima-Yaingangpopki.
Patton also added that projects appointed through e-tendering under Bharatmala were construction of 4/6 lane from 132.375 km to 158.058 of Daboka-Dimapur section (Dimapur by-pass) on NH 36 & 39 covering 20.68 km, 4-lane Dimapur Kohima section of NH 39 from 123. 840 km to 138.775 km covering 14.94, 4-lane Dimapur section of NH 39 from 138.775 km to 152.49 km covering 13.72 km and 4 -lane Dimapur- Kohima section of NH 39 from 152.490 km to 166.700 km covering 14.21 km. All these are under NH 39 and stretch under NHIDLC, Patton said.
Number of doctors: Replying to the starred question on the total number of doctors under the Department of Health & Family Welfare raised by oppositon member, Yitachu, the minister in-charge of Health & Family Welfare, S. Pangnyu Phom told the state assembly that there are 115 doctors posted in the PHCs.
He stated that there was no sanctioned post of doctors in 23 PHCs. He said the department has created numerous posts to make 100% posting of doctors in rural areas. Pangyu said that the department has formed the roster posting policy in order to ensure posting of doctors in all the remote areas, and in order to fill the posting gaps National Health Mission (NHM) has provided nine specialists, 77 GDMOs, 37 Ayush MOs and 18 dental surgeons. Also replying to a starred question raised by opposition member, C.L. John on the sanctioned strength of various health units in the rural areas, the minister said that to overcome the shortage and to improve the health facilities in remote and under-served areas, the department under the NHM has expanded the network of Health Units. Since 2012 till date, the numbers of CHCs has been increased from 21 to 25, PHC from 126 to 138 and SC from 396 to 559.
Number of CDPOs: Chief minister and minister incharge of social welfare department, Neiphiu Rio said that the number of CDPOs district-wise was 60 but there are currently 47 CDPOs present which is 13 less due to retirement and promotion vacancies. The total number of children (0-6),pregnant and lactating mothers is 3,64,867. Rio revealed this in his reply to an unstarred question by oppositon member, Y Vikheho Swu on the details on the total number of CDPO under social welfare department.
Scheme taken up under scheme ‘Article 275(1)’: Minister in charge of planning and co-ordination department Neiba Kronu informed the house about the details of scheme/projects taken up under the scheme ‘Article 275 (1) of the Constitution’ during 2018-19 along with amount, district wise: 24 project in Kohima at the amount of Rs. 1920 lakhs, 12 project in Mokokchung at the amount of Rs. 565 lakhs, 6 project in Peren with amount of Rs.1255 lakhs, 20 project in Dimapur with amount of Rs. 1515 lakhs, 5 project in Zunheboto with amount of Rs. 350 lakhs, 4 project in Tuensang at the amount of Rs.225 lakhs, 7 project in Wokha at the amount of Rs. 579 lakhs, 4 project in Mon at the amount of Rs.225 lakhs, 3 project in Kiphire at the amount of Rs.330 lakhs, 8 project at Phek at the amount of Rs. 980 lakhs, project at Longleng at the amount of Rs. 75 lakhs, Diphupar, Tuensang and Tizit at the amount of Rs. 358.54 lakhs.
Responding to a supplementary question, Neiba Kronu said the sanction of the President of India for release of an amount of Rs. 2,22,60,00 as 1st instalment to the state government towards Grant-in-aid-General for grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution for the head 2018-19 was for recurring cost for existing EMRS @Rs. 42,000/- per student per annum, tentative number of students- 530.
Anticipated amount on salary: Responding to starred question raised by oppositon member, Yitachu on the total amount spent in salary from 31st March 2018 to 31st January 2019 and the amount anticipated for salary for the month of January, February and March 2019, the minister in-charge of finance, Neiphiu Rio said that expenditure on salary during the period was Rs. 4176.62 crore and the anticipated salary for January and February 2019 is Rs. 1216.22 crore and March 2019 to be drawn in April 2019 is Rs. 476.72 crore.
On the query on disparity of payment, the chief minister replied that payment of TA, MR, leave encashment was made in the month of January, February and March, thereby, the amount is higher in these three months.
Number of teachers appointed during 2018-19: Chief minister Neiphiu Rio told the State assembly that there are 162 teachers vacancies in backward linguistic area, where some cases are under process for consideration on need basis. He said that vacancies could not be filled due to non-availability of trained/qualified candidates. Rio said this while replying to oppositon member, Muthingnyuba Sangtam starred question on the total number of teachers appointed during 2018-2019 and whether they were appointed through open interview. Rio also said that 32 primary teachers were appointed on adhoc and need basis during 2018-19 (1st April 2018 till date). 85 GT(Maths) and 52 GT(Science) were appointed through open interview on September 18, 2018. Three graduate teachers and 37 primary teachers were appointed on compassionate scheme on July 6, 2018 and August 14, 2018. Also replying to a stared question raised by oppositon member, Kezhienyi Khalo, the chief minister said that regularisation of 496 graduate teachers and 1464 primary teachers is pending.
Total number of voters: Replying to a starred question raised by oppositon member, Yitachu on total number of voters in the state and the steps taken to curb proxy entry, chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, said that the total number of voters in the State is 12,096,13 and preparation of the electoral rolls for all elections to the parliament and legislature of every State was done under the superintendence, direction and control of the Election Commission of India by powers vested under Article 324(I) of the Constitution of India.
Rs.11 cr received under SDRF, Rs.130.73 cr under NDRF: Earlier, on Monday, State chief minister and Leader of the house Neiphiu Rio disclosed that Nagaland received Rs 11 crore under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and Rs 130.73 crore under National Disaster Response Fund (NRDF).
The chief minister disclosed this while responding to an unstarred question raised by oppositon member, Chotisuh Sazo on the total funds received for natural calamities from centre government during the year 2018-19.
Rio disclosed that Rs. 9407lakhs (district priority list Rs. 1425 lakhs and state priority list Rs 7982) was sanctioned for the expenditure of NDRF civil work during the year 2018-19.
The fund distributed under district wise received under SDRF during the year 2018-19 was Rs 6,86,79,226. Dimapur district (1254 beneficiaries) Mon district (2063 beneficiaries), Mokokchung district (263 beneficiaries), Kiphire district (136 beneficiaries), Wokha district (192 beneficiaries), Longleng district (209 beneficiaries), Peren district (690 beneficiaries), Tuensang district (276 beneficiaries), Phek district (764 beneficiaries), Kohima district (179 beneficiaries), Zunheboto district (137 beneficiaries) including the emergency rice distribution to Kiphire, Mon, Tuesnsang and Peren that cost the amount of Rs 1,29,73,00.
Rio clarified that restorative civil works were taken up departmentally and through district disaster management authorities in regard to NDRF allocation so the beneficiary list was not available for NDRF.
Rs 1111.11 lakh received under MIDH: Chief Minister and Minister in-charge of Horticulture, Neiphiu Rio, stated that total allocation of fund under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for the year 2018-19 was Rs. 3555.56 lakh. Out of which, he said the department received Rs. 1111.11 lakh as first instalment which includes state share.
He stated this in reply to an unstarred question raised by oppositon member, Moatoshi Longkumer. He added that the department has initiated season bound activities such as winter vegetable cultivation and kiwi fruit area expansion. For the remaining components, Rio said the department has completed district wise allocation and selection of site and beneficiaries were under progress. In connection with the department of Horticulture, Moatoshi Longkumer asked about the amount received by the department in the year 2018-19 under the Mission Organic Chain Development for the north-eastern region. Minister in charge, Rio stated that the department received Rs. 246.88 lakh under MOVCD-NER.
74 RD blocks in Nagaland: Chief Minister and minister in-charge of rural development Neiphiu Rio disclosed that there were 74 RD blocks in Nagaland.
He stated this in reply to an unstarred question raised by oppositon member, Y Vikheho Swu, on the number of RD blocks in the state. Rio furnished the detailed numbers of RD blocks in each district in Nagaland; Dimapur (6) Kiphire (5) Kohima (7), Longleng (3), Mokokchung (9), Mon (8), Peren (4), Phek (8), Tuensang (9), Wokha (7), Zunheboto (8) totalling 2,37,954 households in the State under RD blocks.
Rice distributed to hostels: State chief minister and minister in-charge of Food & Civil Supplies, Neiphiu Rio, stated that 358 students’ hostels in the state were distributed with 2,000 metric tonnes of rice that was sanctioned and dispatched by Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution for distributing to students hostel in the month of August, 2018. He stated this in reply to an unstarred question raised oppositon member Kuzholuzo Nienu.