Noney SOS to Governor
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: May 13, 2025 -

THOUGH execution of infrastructure development projects in the hilly terrain generally takes time and additional resources owing to logistical problems, among other issues, there is no valid reason why the government should not initiate relevant process to translate into action assurances given to the hill dwellers.

Inordinate delay in implementing schemes and projects or upgrading existing facilities as promised by the government authorities is one of the factors for people in the hill districts branding successive governments in the state as valley-centric, regardless of the fact that beyond the twin capital districts, the outlying districts in the plains are also either totally bereft of life's basic needs such as road infrastructure and healthcare Service or the existing facilities are in dire need for renovation/repairing.

The developmental disparity is exactly the reason why the Longmai PEI (Customary Court) and Longmai Village Authority have submitted a 15-point charter of demands to Governor Ajay Kumar BhaIla, urging for immediate and time-bound action to address long-pending development issues concerning Noney district headquarters.

As one of the seven newly created districts, Noney certainly is lagging behind in terms of having infrastructure compatible with the modern day requirements.

However, it would be akin to rubbing salt to the wound if the government does not accord priority to implementing developmental projects promised to the Noney denizens.

Notably, the charter of demands raised by the two organisations do not cover the whole of the hill district but projects aimed at ensuring the denizens have access to basic needs at-least at the district headquarters.

In a memorandum submitted to the Governor on behalf of the people of Noney town, the signatories stressed that their demands are long overdue with no significant steps initiated despite prior government assurances and administrative sanction.

The representation highlighted that compared to other newly created districts in the state seeing completion and operation of DC offices under the Infrastructure Development G+2 Buildings scheme, Noney district, which was carved out from Tamenglong district in December 2016, continues to yearn for fully operational district administration and completion of the 50-bedded Pre-Fabricated Field District Hospital at Longmai Part-1, the foundation stone for which was laid on November 30, 2021, by then chief minister N Biren in the presence of his council of ministers and Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba.

It's an irony that the field hospital plan pegged to cost Rs 3-50 crore, is yet to see actual implementation after over three years of the promise made. If such an ordinary task could not be executed in time, then it is but natural that the denizens would not only suspect commitment of the government but also feel alienated.

Even more disturbing is the memorandum expressing remorse over the delay in the establishment of Eklavya Model, Residential School (EMRS), at Duibansui, duly approved by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs on February 20, 2020, and the proposal for a Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) at Noney, recommended by the then DC and approved by the Ministry on May 20, 2022, amid sustained campaigns by the ministries and departments concerned for improving the education sector.