Governor stresses on public welfare

Nagaland Governor La Ganesan, in his maiden speech to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, highlighted pertinent issues concerning the state and priorities set by the government and called upon the members to keep public welfare and their interest paramount while deliberating on any matter.
Addressing the second day of the ongoing budget session, governor congratulated and welcomed all the members particularly the legislators who have been elected for the first time to the House.
Ganesan said the huge turn-out of electorate on the polling day and the participation of the electorates vindicated the deep faith and trust that Nagas has in the democracy and the core values of the Constitution.
He also appreciated the entire government machinery for working without fear and favour and ensuring that democracy and the will of the people be triumphed over everything else.
Ganesan said the coming back of the NDPP-BJP alliance government with a resounding mandate has shown the enormous faith reposed in the ideals and the work done by the Government in the last five years by the people of Nagaland. Some of the highlights of the speech included:
Naga issue: Ganesan affirmed that the State government was committed to not coming in the way of a final Naga settlement.
He admitted that Nagas were not able to fully grow and realise their full potential owing to the unique challenges and constraints posed by the decades-long unresolved Naga political issue.
In some way or the other, he noted that the smooth march of the State on the path of development and prosperity had been affected. He, therefore, called for resolution of the Naga political issue at the earliest possible.
The governor assured that the State government would be proactive and continue to play the role of a sincere and active facilitator for strengthening the ongoing peace process for bringing an early solution.
As NDPP-BJP commenced its new term in the service of the people with a clear vision to bring about positive change, progressive development and all-around inclusive economic growth, Ganesan said the government was mindful of the longstanding unresolved Naga political issue, which had impacted every sphere of the society and created hurdles, especially for the economy and progress of the State.
ULB polls: Meanwhile, to ensure grassroots democracy, the governor said the State government had initiated the process of conducting the long-overdue elections to the Urban Local Bodies as per the Supreme Court directive.
He stressed that the elections and constitution of ULBs as per the provisions of Constitution of India and in compliance with the Supreme Court directives were critical for equitable development, growth and progress of cities and towns in Nagaland. In this regard, he urged everyone to come forward and assist in the successful conduct of the polls in the interest of people of the State.
ENPO issue: He mentioned that Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) and tribal bodies of the six eastern districts had made certain demands and remarked that he was happy that the Government of India had taken initiative in this regard and a team constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs held consultations with ENPO for a harmonious and sustainable resolution of the entire matter.
The governor said the government was committed to provide assistance in this regard to suitably address the grievances of people of the eastern districts, bridge the development deficit and bring these areas on par with rest of the State at the earliest possible.
Law & order: Ganesan said the government remained committed to ensuring maintenance of law and order and peaceful atmosphere in the State and would continue taking steps for strengthening and improving the infrastructure and capabilities of district administration, police and security agencies so as to make them better equipped to discharge their duties and responsibilities efficiently and effectively.
Ganesan said Nagaland would be hosting Business 20 Meet at Kohima on April 5, providing a huge opportunity to showcase State’s development status, infrastructure, rich cultural heritage and diversity to rest of the world.
Department highlights: Governor mentioned that the government was making necessary efforts to establish Medical College at Kohima and start it from the academic year 2023-2024 and taking up with the Government of India for converting it into a Central Institute such as the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, or as an AIIMS-like Institute that would help it to grow further, provide sustainability and address various capacity constraints.
In the socio-economic sector, he said the State continued to be reliant on agriculture and allied activities in a significant way with about 70 % of the population being directly or indirectly dependent on these sectors.
Department of Environment, Forests &Climate Change was making serious efforts to seek funding under the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) + regime for the State in voluntary carbon market. Under the Nagar Van scheme, three Nagar vans had been established at Kohima and Tuensang towns and a proposal to establish another eight Nagar Vans in the State has been submitted to the Ministry.
Department of PHE under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has provided 2,22,583 functional household tap connection to dateout of the 3,69,794 rural households in the State. Further, 1,47,211 households were planned for coverage with drinking water supply under JJM during 2023-24.
Department of Tourism has signed Letter of Intent with Hotel Polo Towers Pvt Ltd, Polo Grounds, Shillong for re-development of Kohima Tourist Lodge into star category hotel, and with Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation for opening budget hotel in the State Capital that was expected to takeoff soon.
Department of Women Resource proposed to undertake community-based resource development programmes for women in the districts, initiation of new programmes targeting business start-ups by women entrepreneurs, short-term training programmes for young women in apparels & accessories production, food processing & setting up of mini processing units for upgrading the skills of women cultivators.
The State government decided to make power generation a high priority area to achieve energy self-sufficiency and was undertaking a number of hydro power projects with Asian Development Bank (ADB) fund like the 42-MW Lower Tizu HydroElectric Power (HEP) and 24-MW Tizu Valley HEP.
PWD (National Highways) was committed to take every step under the guidance and assistance from the Government of India to improve road infrastructure and ensure the desirable quality of roads.
Department of School Education was using digital technology for effective monitoring of the teaching-learning process carried out in all government Schools across the State.