The leader of the house and chief minister Neiphiu Rio Thursday informed the assembly that the state’s economy was anticipated to register a negative growth of -5.59 percent (Advanced Estimate) during 2020-21, to the tune of Rs.1013.11 crore.
Taking part in the discussion on matter of urgent public importance pertaining to post covid economic recovery, Rio, in his concluding remark, stated that COVID-19 pandemic had been highly disruptive and challenging and has impacted in many ways.
Rio, however, said that one has to look beyond the COVID-19 pandemic to a future with high rates of sustained economic growth and better income levels for the citizens and continue moving forward with twin main focus – saving livelihoods and lives till the time the pandemic was left behind.
During same period (i.e. 2020-21), Rio said the Indian economy was also estimated to register a negative growth rate of 7.3 %. In absolute terms, he said the contraction in the State economy was anticipated to the tune of Rs.1013.11 crore during 2020-21.
Post the first wave of COVID-19, Rio said that a strategic committee for economic affairs for Nagaland headed by him has been constituted to revive the economy and to bring about self-sufficiency especially in the Agri and allied sectors and to provide livelihood options to the people adversely affected by the pandemic.
Rio said that core group has been directed to work out strategies and action plan for strengthening the State’s economy.
During the financial year 2020-21, Rio said that a proposal entitled “Road Map for Economic Development of Nagaland Post COVID lockdown” comprising 23 projects amounting to Rs. 8062.64 lakh was submitted to NEC. Out of these, he said NEC approved 12 projects worth Rs. 3117 lakh and sanctioned all the projects besides releasing a total of Rs. 764.00 lakh as first Instalment. He said the second wave of COVID-19 was also faced with the challenge of balancing the need of how to keep the economy going while at the same time shutting it down to protect the citizens from COVID. He, however, said a conscious effort has been made that as far as possible the economic activity should not suffer.
Initiating the discussion on the last day of the eight session of the 13th NLA Thursday, the minister planning and coordination, land revenue and parliamentary affairs, Neiba Kronu, said that Covid-19 pandemic had a huge impact on the economy, adding that reviving the economy was, therefore, one of the top most priorities of the state government. Kronu urged all the members to offer suggestions that could be helpful in bringing back the lost economy. Agri minister, G Kaito Aye, informed that the state had a huge set back on agri and allied sector due to shortage of rainfall and for which the department had set up a core committee in order to tackle the issue on the rainfall shortage and post Covid-19 impact.
He said that the department has planned various activities under agri and allied sector department, which would be taken up in cluster approach.
NPF MLA, Chotisuh Sazo, said that since the pandemic has turned the economy upside and down the topmost priority of the government was to focus on how to revive the economic activities of the people.
Sazo also suggested some measures to revive economy including skills development, farming loans, seeds distribution, distribution of chicks for poultry farms, distribution of piglets, providing market links for farmers and creating job opportunity.
NPF legislator, Kuzholuzo Nienu, said that saving lives and containing the pandemic should be the most important priority of the government. He said that the pandemic taught everyone that economy was about self-sufficient and self-reliant. Stating that Covid was here to stay for a long time, Azo therefore said that people should learn how to live and adjust with it.
He also requested the government to create programmes on Covid to educate the grassroots level. He also suggested the government to set aside a huge amount of money for agri and allied sectors.
Advisor, industries and commerce, Imnatiba said that the outbreak of coronavirus has significantly disrupted the global economy and Nagaland was no exception. He said that skill development department had initiated a job mela that attracted about 100 jobs in a single day.
Pointing out that the pandemic had forced the youth employed outside to return, the advisor appealed to the government to come up with a proper policy, which would help give a face lift to the already struggling entrepreneurs in the state.