On the first day of the fifth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), the Ministers in-charge of various departments responded to several starred question raised by members of the house on 27 August 2024.

Replying on the started question raised by Member NLA, Kuzholuzo Nienu on the unit cost and selection criteria of beneficiaries of PMAY-G housing scheme Minister In charge Rural Development, Metsubo Jamir said that 1,30,000 was the unit cost and  there are two categories of beneficiaries namely SECC and Awaas.

On fund disbursement to the beneficiaries, Jamir replied that the scheme is implemented 100% and amount are transferred to the bank account of the beneficiaries in three installments.

Also replying to the supplementary question by Nienu on the measures taken by the department on the question raised in social media on PMYA-G housing scheme and how many beneficiaries has been assisted till date, Jamir replied said that verification of all beneficiaries will be conducted soon.

Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio replying to the started question raised by MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu on the amount sanctioned under CSS and the amount disbursed each to the Anganwadi Workers and helpers said that no specific amount was earmarked. Rio replying to Nienu started question on how many AWWs and helpers are there in the state and what was the amount disbursed to each AWWs and helpers in the year 2022-23 said there are 398AWWs and 3980 AWHs in the state and the amount of Rs. 500 each was transferred to AWW and 250  to AWH whosoever has fulfilled the eligibility criteria as per the ministry guidelines. Rio also said that 27 AWWs and 46 AWHs were eligible for the insensitive and payments was made to them through direct beneficiary Transfer.

Minster PWD (R&B), G. Kaito Aye replying to supplementary question on insensitive to be given to AWWs, AWHs and helpers selection of beneficiaries said that all insensitive to the deserving beneficiaries will be given and all beneficiaries are selected according to the government guidelines.

Chief Minister also supplementing of the supplementary question said that the department was not able to fully implement the scheme due to the App problem and in the year 2021-22 the government sanctioned was revised due to the new guidelines by the Ministry. CM assured that all qualified beneficiaries will be given their insensitive in due time.

Started question raised by MLA, Kuzholuzo Nienu on machineries allotted to town councils CM Neiphiu Rio in charge of Urban Development said machineries such as JCB, Dumper, tractor, tat mobile etc have been allowed to the town council with effect from 2018 til date. The Chief Minister said that mini truck were given to Phek, Zunheboto and Longleng town council. Tata mobiles were provided to Chumukedima, Medziphema, Jalukie, Tseminyu, Tuli, Chantongnya, Pfutsero & Naginimira town council. CM also replied that no specific entitlement of machineries, but provided on need basis basing on the availability of funds to each town council.

Replying to a starred question raised by MLA, Kevipodi Sophie about the status of National Highway 29 from Lerie to Mao gate, Deputy Chief Minister, TR Zeliang answered that the technical fact-finding is yet to submit its observation/recommendations.

He further said that in accordance with the term of reference, document relating to ongoing project from Lerie to Mao Gate have been sought from NHIDCL and the directions from competent authority for providing sought documents to the technical fact finding committee have been received on 14th August 2024. He said, the relevant details have been sought on 16th August 2024 from appropriate agencies involved in the project implementation and supervision and the details shall be forwarded to the technical fact finding committee one the same are obtained and compiled, he stated.

Supplementing to the question raised by MLA Sophie, Advisor, Prison, Printing and Stationery, Er. Kropol Vitsu mentioned that the mentioned NH 29 is not pliable since the standard and specification was not up to the mark and with the incessant rainfall the road has gone from bad to worse and therefore requested the competent authority to make a technical survey and study the nature of the land to progress with the project.

Replying to the starred question put up by MLA, Nuklutoshi regarding the status of NH 702D, Mokokchung to Mariani and its maintenance and also as to why the two-lane expansion of the said highway has not been initiated despite being accorded the status of National Highway Deputy Chief Minister, in charge of PWD (National Highways), T R Zeliang said that short term maintenance was ongoing on NH 702D from 0.00 (Mokokchung) to Km 63.00 (Longtho). He further said that for two-lane extension of NH702D, Project Management Consultancy Services for preparation of DPR, pre construction activity and construction supervision of 2 laning with paved shoulder of NH-702D from Mokokchung to Watiyim (Km 0.00 to Km 70.00) has been initiated and is currently ongoing.

In reply to the starred question put up by MLA, Nuklutoshi  regarding the delay in starting the two lane expansion of NH 2 from Doyang bridge to VK Town and the firm to whom the work has been allotted for the specific portion of the highway Deputy Chief Minister, in charge of PWD (National Highways), T R Zeliang said that the work had to be retendered due to termination of the first contractor on 3rd July 2023 and that the appointed date of the project has been declared as 18th June 2024 however the Landowners’ Union NH-2 (VK Area) has stopped the work on account of non-receipt of Land Compensation. He also mentioned that the work has been allotted to M/s Kaushal Sharma, Tinsukia, Assam.

MLA, Nuklutoshi further put up supplementary questions with regard to the steps taken by the department concerned in resolving the land compensation issue to which the minister incharge replied that the mentioned stretch of NH 2 was eligible only for damage compensation which has been paid and not land compensation. Advisor IPR and Soil & Water Conservation Imkong L Imchen supplemented the query by urging the Chief Minister to take up the issue at his level.

In the zero hour, MLA, Y. Mhonbemo Huntsoe highlighted a matter of public urgency on the resumption of oil exploration and gas in Champang and Tsori areas under Wokha district, he said this will usher in a new era of economic prosperity and development of the people of Nagaland.

He said harvesting our rich and free natural resources and minerals will address our economic impact and leverage our economic problems.