Nagaland CM Rio and colleagues visit Kiphire ; Sanctions 10 lakhs as immediate financial aid
Source: Nagaland CMO *

Kiphire, August 30 2018: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today stated that the State Government was trying its best to restore normalcy in Kiphire District and that the people of the district have not been forgotten.

"We have not forgotten you.

The people of Kiphire are in our hearts and we share your concerns," he stated.

Addressing a review meeting of the relief and rehabilitation works progress at Kiphire today, the Chief Minister said that response to calamities and disasters can be mitigated to a large extent with cooperation and support from the public since the Government alone cannot do everything by itself.

He expressed appreciation to the Government machineries and the people of the district for coming together in times of trouble to work collectively to alleviate public suffering.

"This morning, just before taking off, Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh called me to enquire about our situation.

This shows that the GoI is deeply concerned about Kiphire District in particular and the Nagas in general.

Kiphire District has also been declared as an Aspirational District recently," Rio said and also informed that an Inter-Ministerial Central Team would be visiting the State from 4th September onwards to conduct a survey on the extent of damages caused by natural calamities across the State.

Nagaland CM Rio and colleagues visit Kiphire

Rio also informed that although he along with Union Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju and senior officials of the NDMA, NDRF, Government of Nagaland, NSDMA etc attempted to conduct an aerial survey and visit affected areas on 5th August 2018, inclement weather did not permit the team to land even in Kohima for which they had to return to Dimapur.

Announcing a sanction of Rs 10 lakhs from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund as immediate financial aid, the Chief Minister called upon the people to continue to extend cooperation to the Government agencies for effective disbursement of relief to the affected people.

The Chief Minister rued the delay in completion of projects and said that had the FCI Godown in Kiphire been completed on time, stockpiling of essential commodities would have been possible as a precautionary measure for any emergency situation.

He urged upon the contractor(s) to ensure that quality works are executed and finished at the earliest.

Rio also highlighted the importance of public cooperation for speedy development and cited the example of the Trans-Nagaland Highway (erstwhile Foothill Road) and the Dimapur-Tizit Railway Line projects wherein landowners came forward to donate undeveloped land free of cost.

The Chief Minister informed the gathering of the Government's desire to hold a Cabinet meeting in Kiphire District with a view to reach out to the people and get a first hand report of their grievances and difficulties.

Also addressing the meeting, MP Lok Sabha Tokheho Yepthomi stressed on the importance of disaster preparedness which will ensure effective response.

He said that timely documentation and communication was important to highlight the damages faced due to disasters.

He urged the people to create awareness for preparedness to face any calamity in future and solicited the cooperation from all sections of the society towards relief measures.

The MP further lauded the Chief Minister for his concern and determination to visit the district inspite of the weather.

Minister for Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, Metsubo Jamir who also accompanied the Chief Minister informed the meeting that the PDA elected members had donated one month's salary to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

He said that this was not a time to submit memorandums but a time to work together with a spirit of brotherhood to help fellow Nagas in distress.

He also called upon the people to donate land for development since the issue of compensation prolongs the implementation and completion of developmental projects.

Earlier, DC Kiphire, Mohammed Ali Shihab, IAS welcomed the Chief Minister and his entourage and expressed deep appreciation and gratitude on behalf of the people of Kiphire for showing utmost concern.

He thanked the State Government for providing timely assistance by airdropping essential commodities in the District HQ, Pungro, Seyochung and various remote corners of the district.

During the meeting, the SDO (C) Kiphire and the EE (NH) Kiphire Division delivered PowerPoint presentations while the EE PWD (R&B) Kiphire Division submitted a brief status report.

The United Sangtam Likhum Bumji, Yimchunger Tribal Council and Eastern Sumi Hoho also submitted a joint representation to the Chief Minister.

Advisor, IT and Science & Technology, Mmhonlumo Kikon and Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, L.Kire also accompanied the Chief Minister to Kiphire.

* The sender of this news can be contacted at mediacell(DOT)cmo(DOT)ngl(AT)gmail(DOT)com .