The Nagaland Cabinet held a historic meeting at Doyang in Wokha district on August 6 where several key issues concerning the state’s development, economic interests and the ongoing challenges posed by natural disasters were deliberated upon.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of an event at Kohima on Monday, Nagaland Minister for Higher Education and Tourism, Temjen Imna Along, said the meeting, chaired by Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, discussed a number of important agendas concerning the state.
Among the key issues was the need to ensure the inclusivity and rights of landowners in areas identified for oil exploration.
Along said the Cabinet was of the view that the concerns of landowners and people residing in the areas of interest must be addressed comprehensively.
“The interest of the state of Nagaland comes first,” the Minister said, adding that the Government was committed to taking into consideration the concerns of people living in border areas and areas affected by oil exploration.
He said the Government was also asserting Nagaland’s position on matters involving the tripartite understanding involving Nagaland, Assam and the Centre, with the expectation that the outcome would be a “win-win situation” for all stakeholders.
Foothill Road remains key economic priority
The Minister also mentioned that the Cabinet also discussed the latest developments concerning the Foothill Road, including discussions with the Government of India and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Highlighting the ongoing issue concerning the proposed 13-metre, 18-metre and 12-metre road specifications, he described the Foothill Road as one of the potential lifelines for Nagaland’s economic resurgence.
He said the Government was continuing to pursue the matter with the Centre while safeguarding the interests of the state.
FNTA issue likely to figure in upcoming Assembly session
On whether the upcoming Assembly session would focus exclusively on the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) issue, Along said the matter would certainly be deliberated upon, but other issues were also likely to be taken up.
He clarified that the final list of proceedings had not yet been published and said the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly would be in a better position to provide details regarding the agenda.
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Government focused on disaster-hit areas
Asked whether the Cabinet discussed remarks made by the Assam Government concerning the flood situation and alleged coal mining, Along said the Government was aware of the various views expressed by political and community leaders.
However, he stressed that the immediate priority was to help people affected by the recent natural disasters across Nagaland.
He pointed to the severe impact of recurring landslides and other disasters in Mon, Tuli, Tuensang and several other parts of the state, where homes and lives have been affected.
“Politics is one thing, but the Government of the day is responsible,” Along said, stressing that the Government must concentrate on helping affected people return to normal life.
He also urged that opinions and allegations should be backed by facts, saying that not every statement made by political or public leaders could become an agenda for Cabinet discussion.
Concern over disruption to education
On the closure of schools and educational institutions in disaster-affected areas, Along said the Government was closely monitoring the situation and working to restore normalcy.
He acknowledged that the disruption could affect the academic calendar but said officials and the Government were working from various angles to ensure that the situation returns to normal as soon as possible.
The Minister said the recent rainfall and landslides demonstrated the need for stronger preparedness and future planning.
“We cannot fight against nature and the unexpected rainfall that has come to our state,” he said, adding that the Government would have to deliberate on lessons from the recent disasters and take appropriate measures to prevent or mitigate similar situations in the future.
He said the state had preparedness mechanisms in place, but the scale and intensity of the recent rainfall were beyond expectations.
Along stressed that future preparedness, planning and coordinated action would be essential to safeguard lives, infrastructure and the state’s development in the face of increasingly severe natural events.
