Tribal affairs secretary meets Nagaland Chief Minister

Kohima, May 16 (UNI) Secretary of the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs G B Mukherjee, who is also the chairman of the Task Force for Hill Area Development, Planning Commission, held a meeting with Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio here.

Official sources said here today that the secretary was on an official visit to the state to oversee the various projects under the centrally sponsored schemes of the Social Welfare Department.

He also visited various sites in the interior districts and villages of the state.

During the meeting with Mr Rio yesterday, Mr Mukherjee discussed about the performance of the state and expressed satisfaction over the proper and timely submission of Utilisation Certificate.

He advocated for innovative schemes unique to Nagaland, to be worked out by the state, and providing drinking water and hostel facilities to schools in line with the residential schools project already being implemented.

Mr Mukherjee also observed the constraints in availability of cultivable land and suggested for horticulture ventures.

He apprised the Chief Minister of the provisions for projects on improvement of rural administration.

The Chief Minister appreciated the visit of the senior bureaucrat and said first-hand knowledge of the ground realities would make huge difference in framing of schemes and projects.

He explained the community structure of the Naga society and the role of the community. He was of the view that that the importance of the Naga community and its structure must be recognised by the Union Ministries and the Centre as well as agencies for development, including the Department of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and North Eastern Council (NEC).

UNI AS DPM KK SSC1233