Vision 2020 suggests Centre to be impartial in development of NE

Kohima, Nov 06: The public hearing on the North Eastern Region Vision Document, 2020, today suggested that the Centre should be impartial in carrying out all forms of developmental activities in the Northeastern region.

The public hearing, jointly organised by the North Eastern Council (NEC), National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, New Delhi, and the Nagaland government, also expressed that the Vision Document should not contain words like ''insurgency in the region'' without understanding the base of the struggle, but should try to achieve solutions at the earliest as peace was the first prerequisite for development.

Several speakers, representing the NGOs in the state, expressed that instead of the NE people suggesting measures, the Centre should project a vision for the development of the region.

One of the teachers of the Nagaland University (NU) also suggested that the NEC should give recognition to the scholars of the region.

The NGOs stated that the aspirations of the people of the NE should not be incorporated as appendix but implemented in action.

Many senior government officials, including the NU vice-chancellor, suggested implementation of a concrete plan of action with a mission mode in various sectors of the economy, including education sector.

Most of the speakers emphasized on the imperative of skill development among the students to adapt them according to the changing economic activities in a globalised market economy.

Earlier, speaking on the occasion, NEC member P P Shrivastav clarified that the Vision document was not an action plan but only a directive for the government.

He also stated that a draft NER vision, 2020, had been prepared but it would be finalised only after holding similar public hearings throughout the NE and considering the suggestions and criticisms given by the common people.

Emphasising on the need of people's involvement in planning developmental activities of the region, he said, ''Developmental planning should be people-centric and not considering the views and suggestions of only the higher officials.'' Chairing the programme, Nagaland Chief Secretary Lalhuma, remarking that the assurances made by the leaders of the Centre during their visit to the state had not yet seen the light of the day, expressed that these should be realised.

He pointed out that the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had announced creation of job avenues for 25,000 youths but it had not yet been achieved. Besides, several other projects had also not been completed, he said.

He also sought the intervention of the NEC and DoNER in pressurising the Centre to complete the unfinished projects.

State Additional Chief Secretary Lalthara tendered the welcome address while representatives of the Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers' Association, Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights, Nagaland University, Naga Students' Federation, YouthNet, Eastern Naga Students' Federation, Churches, media and state bureaucrats were present at the day-long meeting.

UNI