‘Nagaland is on right track of progress and development’

State BJP to celebrate 9 years anniversary of Modi government

Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 30

Nagaland state BJP will be joining the rest of the country in celebrating 9th years anniversary of Narendra Modi government on May 30. In the state capital Kohima, the celebration will take place at BJP state head office at 11:00 am with Khasiho Sangtam, ex- minister as the speaker.

Addressing a press conference on May 29 at Kohima, Nagaland state BJP president Temjen Imna Along and Minister for Higher Education & Tourism said that the year 2023 marks nine years of Modi’s government. “These nine years have been dedicated to bring about development which is inclusive, progressive, and sustainable. The government under Prime Minister Modi has been steadfast in its commitment of creating equity and opportunity for all citizens,” he said. PM Modi has brought the politics of development-Vikasvaad – into the mainstream,-making it the focal point around which political discourse and policy action now revolves, he said adding that since assuming office in 2014, PM Modi has remained firm in his resolve of keeping ‘India first’ in every policy formulation and action. “This resolve is evident in government’s handling of both external and internal security, economic management, empowerment schemes for marginalised groups, efforts at cultural conservation and so on,” he said.
 
Towards achieving goals of 3 ‘P’s in Nagaland
Along said that Modi has in the last 8 years has visited the NE more than 50 times. He said the central government under the leadership of Modi has worked towards achieving the goal of three ‘P’s” in Nagaland-Peace, Progress and Prosperity.

With the development works of rail, road and air routes in the North Eastern states, we are working to bring all the states of NE into the mainstream, he said adding that the government is giving major attention to infrastructure related works in Nagaland.
He said that Nagaland is on the right track of progress and development under the BJP government.

“Our Government is committed to protect the fundamental rights, culture, heritage and traditions of all tribes and communities,” he said adding “Our governments are committed to peace and stability in the region. We are committed to ensuring an atmosphere of peace.”

Our government is not only committed to the development of Nagaland but we are also sensitive to protect the fundamental rights, culture, heritage and traditions of all tribes and communities, he added.

Rs 7 lakh crore spent for development of NE
He said that from Independence to till 2014 the expenditure on infrastructure projects was 2 lakh crore while the Modi government has spent more than 7 lakh crore in the last 8 years in the infrastructure development of NE.

Before 2014, the annual flight number for NE used to 900 and now it has increased upto the 1900 Modi has changed the “Look East policy” to “Act East Policy”.

From education to health care, the facility to the opportunities, everything has increased exponentially.

He said that the HIRA Model of Modi; H – Highway, I – Infrastructure, R- Railway, A – Airport, has boost the development of northeast exponentially.

The AFSFA has been withdrawn from the more than majority part of NE. In the context of it has been withdrawn from the 15 police stations of Nagaland.

He said that in comparison to the UPA governments, funds for the development of Nagaland have been increased four times under the NDA government (2014-present) as compared to the tenure (2004-2014). The Fifteenth Finance Commission has given Nagaland a grant of Rs 4,773 crore in 2022-23, which is significantly higher than the Rs 1,283 crore released in 2009-2010. In the year 2020-21, special assistance in the form of grants-in-aid of Rs 219.15 crore was released to the state. 3.50 lakh Jan Dhan accounts have been opened for banking and financial inclusion of people in Nagaland.

Along said there is a 74% reduction in terrorism incidents in 2021 as compared to 2014. Similarly, the deaths of security personnel and civilians have also come down by 60% and 84% respectively during this period.
 
Nagaland- leader among NE states 
Nagaland is a leader among the North Eastern states in undertaking various Citizen-Centric initiatives and focusing on the development of marginalized communities, stressed Along.

He said that Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) has been successful in Nagaland, benefitting the lives of around 5700 members associated with it. The scheme has helped in the empowerment of tribal communities in Nagaland, he said.

Nagaland is emerging as an example to the world for its focus on indigenous entrepreneurship and youth welfare.

A pilot project for skill development of cane and bamboo artisans of Nagaland has been operationalized under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), a component of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). The project aims to enhance the skills of over 4,000 craftsmen and artisans, he said. The scheme will enhance the skill and technical proficiency of artisans, as well as promote traditional and local crafts of cane and bamboo artisans.

He said that the North East Rural Livelihoods Project (NERLP) has improved the livelihoods of 300,000 households in 11 districts of Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.

Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima has been designated as Khelo India State Center of Excellence (KISCE) in three disciplines of Wrestling, Archery and Boxing to upgrade the existing sports facilities of the State to world class level.

The central government has focused on providing basic amenities to the people of Nagaland along with the development of strong infrastructure in the state.

After a gap of more than 100 years, Nagaland got its second railway station along the Dhansari-Shokhuvi railway line in the form of Shokhuvi railway station, he said adding that 82-km-long broad gauge route from Dhansiri in Assam to Zubza in Kohima of railway line is being built by the government. 
Infrastructure projects in Nagaland
Along said 15 National Highway projects have been inaugurated recently in Nagaland. The length of these NH projects is about 266 kilometers and involves a cost of about Rs 4,127 crore.
The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) is currently implementing various schemes in Nagaland.
Since 2015, MDoNER has completed 53 infrastructure projects in Nagaland and is in the process of completing 142 projects in Nagaland.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, free ration is provided to about 14 lakh beneficiaries in the state. Under Jal Jeevan Mission, tap water connections have been provided to 2.18 lakh (58% coverage) households in Nagaland. Under Ayushman Bharat, 3 lakh people have got direct benefits. A total of 54636 houses were sanctioned in Nagaland under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Out of which construction work of a total 16574 houses has also been completed. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, the Central Government is doing the work of providing financial assistance of Rs.6000 to the farmers. 2.1 lakh farmers have also benefited from this scheme.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana scheme, a total of 4,382 km of roads were sanctioned in Nagaland till 2021-22 at a cost of Rs 1414 crore. Out of this, construction of 4157 kilometer roads has also been completed at a cost of Rs 1180 crore. Rs 100 crore investments for the Ayush Healthcare sector in Nagaland.
Ayush Hospital in Kohima inaugurated. One Ayurvedic College will be developed with 70 crore at Longleng, Along said.
The NH network in the state today has been extended from 880.68 km in 2014 to 1,547 km. Recently, Rs. 3,235 crore for Highways in Nagaland. Earlier, 55 works of a length of 1,063 km at a cost of Rs. 11,711 Crore was approved. A total of 667 km were added to the NH network in Nagaland during the last 6 years.