PRIME MINISTER'S PRESS STATEMENT
AT KOHIMA
Following is the
text of the Press Statement given by the Prime Minister Shri Atal
Bihari Vajpayee, at Kohima today:
"This is
my first visit to Nagaland as Prime Minister. I have been to other
states in the North East. In January 2000, I had attended a Conference
of Governors and Chief Ministers at Shillong. Based on the suggestions
received from different States, at the end of that conference,
a package for socio-economic development and improving the security
scenario was announced. The implementation of these schemes is
being closely monitored. Out of a total of Rs. 880.24 crore sanctioned
so far under this package for Nagaland, an expenditure of Rs.558.51
crore has been incurred.
After my arrival
in Nagaland, I have held discussions with the Governor, Chief
Minister and representatives of various political and social organizations.
Based on the proposals received from the State Government from
time to time, I am pleased to announce the following projects/schemes
for further accelerating the process of socio-economic development
in Nagaland. The total amount earmarked for this package will
be around Rs. 1050 crore.
1) The Government
of India, jointly with the State Government, will draw up a plan
for creating 25,000 employment and self-employment opportunities
for the youth in Nagaland. This will be implemented over the next
two years. The plan will focus mainly on agriculture, village
industries, horticulture, floriculture, medicinal plants, bamboo
products, tourism and transport. Approximately, Rs. 250 crore
will be provided to implement this plan. Funds will come from
banks, financial institutions, and State/Central Plans. The Rural
Employment Generation Programme (REGP), run by the Khadi and Village
Industries Commission (KVIC), will be provided adequate funds.
Rs. 10 crore will be provided to KVIC to set up a training institute
oriented towards entrepreneurship development and employment generation.
2) Kohima, the
capital of Nagaland, will be connected with the East-West Corridor
under the National Highway Development Programme (NHDP). Under
this, the 81-km-long Kohima-Dimapur section will be four-laned
at an estimated cost of Rs.400 crore. Work will start in the year
2004-05. As an immediate measure, the Border Roads Organisation
will undertake improvement of this road at the earliest.
3) State Government
has proposed certain roads within the State in Tuensang, Mon,
Kiphire and Wokha districts. The proposal of State Government
will be examined and vetted by the DONER. Based on the analysis
and need, roads worth Rs.75 crore will be taken up over three
years period.
4) A 23 MW Thermal
Power Project, which will run on heavy fuel, will be funded by
the Government of India and implemented through Central Sector
Organization (BHEL) at a cost of around Rs.105 crore.
5) Government
of India will provide Rs. 35 crore for the development of infrastructure
of Nagaland University at Lumami. This work will be implemented
by a Central Sector Organisation. In addition, the Kohima campus
will also be developed, for which Rs. 10 crore will be provided.
6) Government
of India will provide Rs. 15 crore for building a new Sainik School
at Kohima in first phase, subject to the condition that free land
is provided by the State Government. The construction of this
school will also be implemented by a Central Sector Organisation.
7) Government
of India will set up a Regional Institute for Information Technology
in Nagaland, for which Rs. 20 crore will be provided. However,
land will have to be given by the State Government free of cost.
8) Rs.10 crore
will be provided for upgrading the higher and high schools for
science education and facilities for girls' education. This will
also include the 11 schools requested by the State Government.
The high school building complex in Wakching town will also be
covered under this.
9) The district
hospitals at all district headquarters including, Mon and Tuensang,
will be upgraded at a cost of Rs.15 crore. In addition, Rs. 10
crore will be provided for rural health centers, which will be
spent strictly through the process of communitisation.
10) State Government
has constructed one referral hospital at Dimapur, which has not
been operationalized so far. I understand the Government has invited
bids from different organizations to run the hospital. A joint
team consisting of officers of Union Ministry of Health and Department
for Development of North Eastern Region, along with officials
of State Government, will assess realistic requirement of funds.
Government of India will provide necessary assistance based on
recommendations of this team.
11) The women
of Nagaland play an important role in socio-economic development
of the State. Rs.15 crore will be provided for self-help groups
and for empowerment of women. This will be worked out by DONER
and funded by the respective Ministries of the Government of India.
12) Over a period
of three years, Rs.15 crore will be provided to control jhum and
for development of horticulture in the State.
13) A Centre for
Development of Horticulture, Floriculture and Medicinal Plants
will be set up at a cost of Rs. 10 crore. Rs. 5 crore will be
provided to support the Bamboo Mission set up by the State Government.
14) Nagaland has
immense potential for tourism development, especially adventure,
culture and eco tourism. However, this potential has not been
tapped so far. A joint Task Force, comprising representatives
of the Government of India, State Government and private sector
tourism industry, will be set up to prepare an action plan based
on public-private partnership. Another tourism circuit to link
areas in Northern Nagaland, particularly Mon district, will be
developed. To begin with, Rs. 25 crore will be provided over the
next three years for this purpose.
15) Rs.10 crore
will be provided for development of eco-friendly municipal waste
treatment plants at Dimapur, Kohima and other towns. The scheme
will be prepared by the Ministry of Urban Development.
16) Rs. 18 crore
will be provided for completing the remaining works at Indira
Gandhi Stadium in Kohima in a period of two years. This will be
subject to project report being vetted by the Sports Authority
of India and monitored by DONER.
17) The State
Government's proposal for revival of Nagaland Paper & Pulp
Company, Tuli, will be given a fresh consideration, involving
the concerned ministries of GoI, State Government and experts.
18) Survey is
going for extending the railway line from Dimapur to Kohima, a
distance of 110 km. 40% of the survey work is complete and the
rest will be completed by June next year. Thereafter, a view will
be taken on this project."
