Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has identified infrastructure, sports, tourism, agriculture and allied sectors as priority areas which his government vows to bring change to Nagaland within the next five years.
Rio said this on Friday during the 27th anniversary of Konyak Gazetted Officers’ Union (KGOU) at Council Hall Mon town while also conveying greetings on Konyak apex festival Aoleang.
Reiterating key focus areas of the PDA government, the chief minister said it would focus on promoting tourism, which could help the economy as also create jobs for the people.
Stating that Hornbill Festival required an investment of around Rs. 4-5 crore that fetched a turnover of approximately Rs. 51 crore, the chief minister informed the meeting that the government would train tour operators, tourist guides and agents for which the gazetted officers should document stories and legends of the tribes so that tourists get a first hand narration of “our great history and culture”.
He said the government has also decided to promote tourism by holding mini Hornbill Festivals across the districts, which would be primarily hosted by respective tribal hohos, to showcase rich cultural heritage of each tribe to the tourists.
Mentioning the eagerness of various corporate and charitable institutions like Tata Trust, Reliance Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, BMW Foundation, and John Deere Foundation to come and work in Mon as part of their corporate social responsibility activities, the chief minister advised KGOU to leverage the opportunity and extend its support in working out plans in the field of education, health, skill development and livelihood & employment generation. Stating that the government would be meeting various corporate groups soon, he revealed that an Australian company was willing to provide free air ambulance service. But for this to materialise, the government and people would have to extend cooperation towards building a 500-metre runway.
The government would also build a convention centre and tourist guest house in Mon town and many other areas in Eastern Nagaland districts so that basic amenities were available to the tourists, he added.
Rio also laid emphasis on air connectivity within the State for which Rio claimed that a plan had already been submitted to the Centre during his earlier tenure as chief minister. He added that proposals had also been submitted to New Delhi for Foothill Road (Express Road) to Mon without touching Assam as well as a railway line to Tizit.
Hoping that these projects would soon become a reality, the chief minister urged the people to come forward to give land for such projects. “If you want development, you should cooperate with the government,” he stressed.
Pointing out that Mon was doing well in cardamom and other crops, the chief minister emphasised testing of soils in various areas so that cultivation of the right kind of crops could be taken up and make these economically viable too.
He asked the DC to make an assessment with all departments of economic condition of the people of the district and how the government could do more for the people.
He also expressed his desire to construct a special dedicated football ground with all modern facilities in Mon in order to promote sports in the district.
He also recalled that NDPP-BJP alliance’s campaign for the recently-concluded Assembly election kicked off from Mon town on February 13. He expressed his delight on returning to the town for the first time after forming the PDA government.
Congratulating KGOU for leading and guiding the Konyaks for the last 27 years, Rio also appreciated the union for enhancing its responsibilities and applauded it for observing the anniversary with the theme “Resilience for sustaining excellence”, which, according to him, was need of the hour.
Acknowledging its founding members who came together with a vision to promote culture and tradition, foster unity and oneness and serve the people, the chief minister hailed KGOU as pillar of support for Konyak Union, KNSK, Konyak Students’ Union and various agencies, including the Church.
Drawing attention to low literacy rate in Mon, which was lowest in the State, Rio challenged KGOU to endeavour to spread literacy so that the district could be on a par with the State and nation, for which the people would have to partner with the government, particularly in bringing quality education to the area.
“It is also commendable that KGOU has taken the initiative to improve the quality of education in Mon. The literacy rate of Mon is only 56.99% as against the State average of 79.55%. The challenge before us can be seen from the fact that the literacy rate of our State in 2001 was 66.59%, around 10% higher as compared to the literacy rate of Mon in 2011,” the chief minister stated and lauded the union for its initiative to start coaching for Central and State civil services examination for the aspirants.
He also appreciated Mon deputy commissioner (DC) Thavaseelan K for his “humanitarian service” in taking the initiative with the help of NCS, NPS, IAS and IPS officers posted in Mon district to provide free weekly classes for civil service aspirants. “We must take full advantage of this initiative,” he exhorted.
“It’s also heartening to note that many youth from Mon have registered for mock tests being conducted by Shankar IAS Academy, Chennai. I am hopeful that other districts will also follow this example and take advantage of these free mock tests to be conducted on April 29 and May 13 and 27 in Dimapur and Kohima. Shankar IAS Academy has also helped set up a library in DC office for UPSC and NPSC aspirants. I am sure these initiatives can be further strengthened with the involvement of KGOU, which also plans to set up a library-cum-reading room where books, magazines and newspapers will be made available for the aspirants,” he added.
Stating that an important requirement was addition of Science wing in Wangkhao Government College, Rio called upon all stakeholders to work towards the same to benefit students of the district.
Speaking on the occasion, the DC claimed that the district administration was focusing on seven priority sectors – health, education, agriculture, livelihood and employment generation, water and sanitation, infrastructure (telecom, power and roads) and financial inclusion with focus on seven groups, viz., women, children, youth, differently abled, elderly citizens, PLHIVs, drug and opium addicts, etc.
Others who spoke included former minister and first KGOU general secretary MC Konyak, Konyak Union president Manlip Konyak, while planning committee chairman T Manhom Konyak delivered the vote of thanks.
The programme was chaired by Atong Yanlem while invocation and closing prayers were pronounced by district chaplain Tuishimla Konyak and KBBB finance secretary Rev L Metjen Konyak respectively.
Others who attended the programme included ministers Metsubo Jamir and Paiwang Konyak, advisors Noke Wangnao, Pohwang Konyak and Khehovi Yepthomi, N. Bongkhao Konyak besides a host of government officials and tribal leaders.
Earlier, the chief minister also released the KGOU souvenir.