Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio greeting the citizens of the State on the 77th Independence Day celebration on 15th August 2023 held at Secretariat Plaza, Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima stated that the State will continue to strive and contribute to the progress of the Country, and it remains committed to the core values of the Constitution, and democratic principles.
Rio said that finding an early solution to the Naga Political Issue remains the top agenda of his government, and assured to make every effort to hold consultations with all the stakeholders. He called on all the Naga Political Groups, all stakeholders and Government of India in bringing about an inclusive, honourable and acceptable solution without any further delay.
Acknowledging the developmental deficit, particularly in the eastern districts of the State and the grievances raised by ENPO, Rio appreciated the Government of India for looking into the matter, and assured of supporting the desire of the eastern districts to bridge the development deficit, to bring them at par with the rest of the State.
On the ULB matter, Rio stated that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, heeding to the wishes of the people did not go ahead with the ULB elections, and repealed the Act. He said that the government is in the process of taking steps for making a new Act, and requested the cooperation and guidance of every stakeholder. He informed that keeping in view the sentiments of the people, the State Cabinet urged the Law Commission to exempt Nagaland from the purview of UCC, and shared that the Union Home Minister has assured that UCC would not be applicable to the Scheduled Tribes of Nagaland and the North East.
Expressing concern on the conflicts in Manipur, Rio appealed to all the communities and groups in Manipur to give peace a chance and take urgent steps to resolve their differences amicably.
On the G20 Business Meet which the State hosted in April 2023, Rio shared that proposals and interests were shown in investments, amounting to Rs. 4,500 crore, in areas of new & renewable energy, health care, agri-allied, etc. and efforts being made to place appropriate policies to convert the expressed business interests into projects on the ground.
Rio mentioned that the Department of Power is proposing to construct 220/132/33KV Substation with associated transmission lines at Tsitrongse, Dimapur, upgradation of Nagarjan Substation, Dimapur, and under the New & Renewable Energy Department, the first major Solar Power Plant of capacity 5MW is nearing completion at Hokhuvi, Niuland.
To improve quality education, Rio said, nine Atal Tinkering Labs and 42 Virtual Reality Labs was inaugurated, and through the NECTAR project, the School Department is implementing the Teacher Attendance Monitoring System (TAMS) to ensure accountability of teachers.
Rio informed that two new colleges, New Model College, Wakching, Mon and New Model College, Mangkolemba, Mokokchung is functional from the academic session 2023, under the Higher Education Department. He added that the State is pursuing for setting up of a Central Hindi Training Institute in Nagaland.
The Chief Minister said that since the launch of the Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) on 14th October 2022, 11,850 patients have availed the benefits under CMHIS and PMJAY together. He said that to mitigate the acute shortage of ICU, in 12 District Hospitals, the 10 bed ICU project was launched. He expressed his happiness on the first medical College, NIMSR which is to start its academic session 2023-24, with 100 MBBS seat capacity.
He lauded the Nagaland Women Sepaktakraw Team who won 3 Medals at the 33rd Senior National Sepaktakraw Championship held at Nagpur in April, 2023, and the Men & Women Teams for qualifying to participate in the 37th National Games, Goa in September. He also congratulated Venuzo Dawhuo who won the Chin Wrestling Championship Title (open) held in Indianapolis, Indiana in USA, the Mahila Police Band for participating in India Got Talent Season 10, and winning the Golden Buzzer, and the 'Faith in Action' Martial Arts Academy, Dimapur for setting a new Guinness World Record for the highest Assisted Martial Arts Kick on the set of 'India's Got Talent' on Sony TV. Rio acknowledged the Nagaland Chamber Choir for winning two gold medals in the Mixed Chamber Choir and Contemporary Choral Music categories at the 12th World Choir Games held in Gangneung, South Korea.
Rio said that the Urban Development Department has submitted detailed proposal to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for incubation of a new city in Chathe Valley, Chümoukedima. During 2022-23, under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Department of Rural Development, 4.92 lakh individuals provided employment, and under Amrit Sarovar Mission launched in September 2022, 141 Amrit Sarovar works have been completed.
The Department of Underdeveloped Areas (DUDA) constructed Zingki Bailey Bridge at Kiphire under Border Area Development Programme (BADP) which was inaugurated on 28th April 2023, which will benefit people living in Pungro and Kiusam areas. Under UDAP, the Department has implemented Iconic Projects in different locations in the 6(six) eastern districts starting 2022-23, and altogether 20 Iconic Projects have been implemented
Rio mentioned the Department of Environment, Forests & Climate Change in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency has covered 144 villages across the state and an area of 24,225 hectares has been brought under afforestation with 55.79 lakh seedlings planted. He said that under the project, the Department is in the process of constructing an Eco-Park at Kohima. He also stated that the Department has started implementation of the second Externally Aided Project, called "Forest & Biodiversity Management in the Himalaya, Nagaland", under Indo - German Financial Cooperation and funded by KfW Development Bank.
Rio mentioned that the Department of Art & Culture has completed the new Archaeological and Heritage Gallery at the State Museum, which was inaugurated on 10th May 2023. He said that a separate Directorate of Minority Affairs has been created in April 2023 under the Planning and Transformation Department, which will give further impetus to the schemes of the Ministry of Minority Affairs being implemented by the State, and under Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) there are 9 (nine) ongoing projects. The scheme will now be implemented in all the districts in Nagaland.
Rio informed that the State Government has proposed to the Central Government to open an airport for operating ATR-72 class of aircrafts, with provision for expansion of handling bigger aircrafts in a phased manner at Ciethu, Kohima. He also said that the State is making an effort to have the first inland waterway corridor, National Waterway -101 (Tizu- Zungki river), in the State.
Rio mentioned that the State is taking up establishment of an Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER) in the State. He also said that in order to enable the Medical College at Kohima to grow, and provide sustainability, the State Government has taken up with the Central Government to consider converting it into a Central Institute like the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, or as AIIMS.
CCTVs in all the 84 (eighty four) Police Stations across the State has been installed, which was inaugurated at the Police Stations in Kohima district on 9th August 2023. Rio said that to enhance the reach of the Police, four Police outposts; Seyochung, Kiphire, Champang, and Seithekema - A have been upgraded to Police Stations and a new Police outpost has been set up at Chukitong. New Police Stations have been constructed at Sovima village, Chümoukedima, and Atoizu, Zunheboto. Further, 6 (six) new SDPO posts were created in Agunato, Akuluto, Doyang, Jalukie, Meluri and Tobu.
Rio said that this Independence Day, the State is conducting 'Meri Maati Mera Desh' campaign as the culminating event for Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to pay tributes to the 'Veers' (Bravehearts) who have made the supreme sacrifice for the country by erecting memorials in all the village and towns, and taking pledge by holding a fistful of soil (mitti), and planting of 75 saplings of indigenous trees in every village.
Pledge for Drug-Free Nagaland was administered by Rio during the 77th Independence Day celebration as a mark of commitment towards ‘War on Drugs.’
(Gaizam, Nouneseno & I. Tiakumla)
