Solution to Naga insurgency accorded highest priority: Acharya

Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya on Thursday said that the state's People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) coalition government has accorded the highest priority to resolve the seven-decade-long Naga insurgency in the state.

"We will work with all stakeholders for a solution that is honourable, sustainable and acceptable to the people. We will not come in way of any political agreement that brings solution to the Nagala political (Naga insurgency) issue.

"My government will move with firm resolve for reconciliation among all sections of the Nagas and for a negotiated political settlement that would bring peace in this land," Acharya said in his address to the newly elected members of the 13th Nagaland Assembly.

He noted that the newly installed PDA government is committed to bringing in a new vision for Nagaland on the twin foundations of good governance and transparency and development and economic growth.

He also apprised the House of the government's plan to set up a Centre for Peace to help bringing together all stakeholders for a long-term peaceful settlement.

Noting that transparency, good governance and the culture of meritocracy with an objective to bring in accountability of government was the prime focus, he told the members that the government would ensure that all its departments and institutions have their websites and social media accounts for providing related information to citizens in a time bound manner.

He also said it has decided to hold periodical appraisals and assessments of all departments to ensure timely achievement of targets to avoid delays and cost escalation, Aadhaar linkage to check bogus and fake beneficiaries and regular attendance of all employees to work.

Maintaining that the state in an unprecedented financial crisis, he highlighted the huge financial deficit that the new government has inherited - Rs 1,657.88 crore as of March 31, 2017 and likely to be higher at the end of March 2018 - and its challenge of bringing in fiscal prudence and discipline.

Acharya promised to ensure strict verification of the works done under development schemes before releasing payments.

On the deplorable state of roads in the state, the Governor said repair and strengthening of roads will be the government's top priority, and it has decided to start immediate repair and renovation of roads and filling of potholes in Kohima, Dimapur and all district headquarters.

The ongoing 4-laning works on Kohima-Dimapur road, being carried out by NHIDCL for a stretch of 42.86 km at a total cost of Rs 1,066.55 crore, will be monitored closely for time bound completion, he added.

Acharya also highlighted the new government's plans to improve road, air and rail connectivity, modernise the state police, set up Nagaland Investment and Development Authority to bring in investments and also to organize Business and Investment Summits, to encourage farmers to produce more and assure remunerative returns, for tourism development, for implementation of Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP) with funding from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) among others.

--IANS

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