Shah launches 5 projects worth Rs.50 cr

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that the Central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had achieved success in its goal of achieving three “P’s– Peace, Progress and Prosperity” in Nagaland.
Addressing a gathering at virtual launch of five projects worth Rs 50 crore in the State at Niathu Resort here on Friday, he said the vision of Modi mainstreaming Northeast was bearing fruits now and cited his various initiatives, including the directive that every Union minister should visit the region once in a fortnight.
The projects included– Virtual Reality (VR) laboratories in 42 government higher secondary schools at a cost of about Rs 8 crore, Atal Tinkering Labs built at a cost of Rs 1.80 crore in nine government higher secondary schools, 12.5 megawatt (MV) sub-station at Chiephobozou at a cost of Rs 14 crore, trekking and base camp at Mount Saramati, Thanamir village and Kiphire and two-lane bridge over Doyang River at a cost of Rs 28 crore near Governor’s Camp Liphayan.
Shah disclosed that Modi not only visited the North Eastern region 51 times in the past eight-and-a-half years but also made successful effort to connect the region with the mainstream of India by giving big projects of infrastructure to the Northeast.
Shah maintained that the region, once infamous for insurgency, was now known for peace and fast-paced development due to Modi’s relentless efforts to transform the region. He claimed that due to improved infrastructure, emotional bond had increased between people of the region and rest of the country.
“Because of the enduring vision of Modi, not only Nagaland, but all eight North Eastern States were witnessing developments,” he asserted.
Giving a comparison of budgetary allocation to Nagaland between 2004 and 2014 under UPA government and 2014 to date under NDA, he pointed out that there had been a four-fold increase.
He said the 15th Finance Commission had allocated Rs 4,773 crore for Nagaland, in comparison to only Rs 1,283 crore allocated in 2009. He revealed that a special package of Rs 219 crore had been allocated in 2021-2022.
Referring to insurgency in the State, the Union minister noted that the incidents of militancy had come down by 74 per cent in 2021 as compared to 2014 in Nagaland, while the number of deaths of security personnel and civilians reduced by 60 and 84 per cent respectively.
This he said was an indication that law and order was being maintained in the state. He said that Centre led by Prime Minister Modi has initiated the process to gradually remove AFSPA from the state of Nagaland.
He also highlighted the ongoing development projects in the State like the State’s second railway station, construction of 15 national highways worth Rs 4,127 crore, Jal Jeevan Mission (2,18, 000 families benefited), Ayushman Bharat Scheme (around 3,00,000 families benefited), PM Awas Yojana (54,636 families benefited), PM Kissan Samman Nidhi (2,00,1000 farmers benefitted), PM Gram Sadak Yojana (4,157 km roads constructed), etc.
He further spoke on the achievements of BJP government and pointed out how it had been able to provide free Covid vaccine to people in every nook and corner of the country, including Nagaland.
Shah remarked that he was overwhelmed by the richness of the land as Nagaland had 12 different organic varieties of plants, and noted that the State had a huge potential in horticulture.
He said Nagaland was famous throughout the world for its culture, ethnicity and also the respect with which Nagas treated their women.
He hoped that the five schemes launched would help bring a revolutionary change in education, tourism and power sectors in the State.
BJP-NDPP alliance to continue: Speaking briefly on the seat sharing alliance between NDPP and BJP, he declared that the current alliance would contest the Assembly election together and see to it that it came to power with full majority to pave the way for a prosperous Nagaland.
Meanwhile, addressing the gathering, chief minister Neiphiu Rio appreciated the Union Home Minister for his support to Nagaland and its citizens. He said along with the blessings and guidance of Modi, Shah too had always stood by the people of Nagaland and never turned down any request in the past few years.
He mentioned that the State government had been able to provide a stable, progressive and development-based governance due to the support of the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister.
Acknowledging that the State had many development deficiencies and pending issues, he requested Modi to visit Nagaland and announce approval to pending projects, lay foundation stones for some new ones and inaugurate those completed.
He expressed the hope that the State would experience good things under the ruling coalition and asserted that it would get people’s mandate in the next Assembly election too.
Welcome address was delivered by deputy chief minister Y Patton and vote of thanks was given by Health & Family Welfare minister S Pangnyu Phom.
Host of dignitaries including legislators, senior officials and others were present on the occasion.