On the second day of the second session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, replying to a starred question raised by MLA Achumbemo Kikon, C L John, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Village Guard, informed that during the last three years, steps have been taken to contain the Human-Animal conflict through a combination of short term and long- term measures in Bhandari Sub Division, Wokha district.
According to DIPR, the Nagaland Minister said that the short-term measures include: support to alternative livelihood activities, capacity building to deal with conflict and training the villagers on elephant repellant techniques, construction of elephant watch towers, compensation for damages and ex gratia for any human injury/ killing etc. For the long-term management: awareness creation and generating sensitivity has been the key focus.
When asked whether there is any policy for financial assistance or Government jobs to the next of kin/ family members of the victims of wild elephants, C L John replied that there is financial assistance/ex-gratia up to Rs. 5 Lakhs but no policy to provide government jobs to such victims at present. He added that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has also been working on preparation of the National Elephant Management Plan based on inputs from experts which will help in better management of conflict areas.
MLA, Achumbemo Kikon also raised issues relating to Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) to which G. Kaito Aye, Minister Agriculture replied that IGGL has been authorised by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) to execute Deragaon-Dimapur-Kohima-Imphal Pipeline. He added that the design materials of construction inspection testing and safety aspect of safety operation and maintenance of the pipeline from Dimapur to Kohima is engineered primarily in accordance with the provisions of PNGRB.
MLA Naiba Konyak, under landowner’s Rights for appointment of Grade-IV staff, questioned the Minister for P&AR regarding the guidelines for appointment of Grade-IV staff for the landowner continually after retirement from service to their children. He also mentioned problems in appointing Grade-IV staff in the district Headquarters and whether there is any government notification to appoint other candidates against the post vacated by the landowners.
In response to the question, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said based on the cabinet approval made on 13th December 2017, the Land Revenue Department has issued notification on 5th March 2018. And as mentioned on the 26th September 2017, all direct recruitment vacancies of Grade-IV post in the district offices of the department shall be filled by the respective indigenous inhabitants of the district only. He also mentioned that if the appointed landowner retires or vacates the post, the vacancy will be filled up through open advertisement in consonance with the existing government policy giving equal opportunity to all applicants.
