Health seminar for ex-PAN members

The Ex-Parliamentarians’ Association of Nagaland (Ex-PAN) organised a seminar on health at Niathu Resort here on Wednesday, sponsored by the Assembly Secretariat, Addressing the gathering as a special guest, Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) speaker Sharingain Longkumer expressed happiness at being a part of the seminar.
He also informed the ex-parliamentarians that it was his desire to review the Salary and Allowance Act of the State regarding the privileges, entitlements, salary and allowance of legislators and ex-parliamentarians.
He said the exercise got delayed due to financial constraints and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Longkumer mentioned that immediately after resuming as speaker of the 14th NLA and after a thorough discussion with the minister of Parliamentary Affairs, he had convened the House Committee and discussed the matter.
He said proposals had come to enhance the salary and allowance of the members and pension of Ex-PAN members. He assured that the Assembly was continuously working to work out modalities so that some requirements of Ex-PAN members could be met through various activities.
The speaker mentioned that the State government would be working out modalities to create platforms to enrich the Assembly Secretariat from the experiences of ex-parliamentarians and, at the same time, provide opportunities so that the legislators could serve the people.
Addressing the gathering, Power and Parliamentary Affairs minister KG Kenye described Ex-PAN as a storehouse of intellectual resources and said the State government required their guidance, participation and opinions.
He said he considered Ex-PAN as the most respectable and dignified organisation and appealed to its members to come forward and show the current legislators the way towards progress. He urged the members to be more proactive.
Admitting that there were many problems being faced by the State government, he urged Ex-PAN members to partner with the government in resolving these since all of them had huge experience.
In the first session of the seminar, Health & Family Welfare joint director Dr Kika Longkumer spoke on “Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme” (CMHIS), while H&FW deputy director Dr J Hokugha Sumi spoke on the topic “Health Management and Care” in the second session.
Speaking with media persons after the programme, Ex-PAN president Joshua Sumi said the seminar was organised by the association to create awareness among the ex-parliamentarians as well as parliamentarians on healthcare.
Ex-PAN general secretary S Supongmeren mentioned that the seminar was held to fully equip and crate awareness among the members of the association on the recently-launched CMHIS.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Ex-PAN adviser Nilo Rengma and invocation offered by State chaplain Rev TW Yamya Konyak.
The welcome address was delivered by the Ex-PAN president, while a special number was delivered by Alobo Naga and vote of thanks by the Ex-PAN general secretary.
Health screening of Ex-PAN members was held on the occasion, which was conducted by H&FW joint secretary Dr Alemwabang Aier. Registration and card insurance drive for CMHIS was also undertaken for the members. Around 80 ex-parliamentarians attended the health seminar.