Rs.1053 crore economic package for Nagaland
Political consensus needed for greater Nagalim: Vajpayee
The package is to further accelerate the process of socio-economic development and improving the security scenario of Nagaland.

PRIME Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has announced Rs. 1053 crores economic package for Nagaland.  

Addressing a jam-packed press conference at Durbar hall of Raj Bhavan in Kohima, Mr. Vajpayee said the package was to further accelerate the process of socio-economic development and improving the security scenario of Nagaland.  Announcing the package to the tone of Rs.1053 crores, the Prime Minister admitted that there will be criticism from the different quarters, however asserted that these do happens in politics.  

Break-up of Rs.1053 crores economic package:- 

1. Rs.400 crore for the East-west Corridor under the National Highway Development Programme (NHDP), where Kohima the capital of Nagaland will be connected- works to start in 2004-05. 

2. Rs.250 crores exclusively for Agriculture, village industries, horticulture, floriculture, medical plants, bamboo products, tourism and transport- To be implemented next year. 

3. Rs.105 crores for the 23 MWE Thermal Power Project, which will run on heavy fuel and implemented through central Sector Organization (BHEL).  

4. Rs.75 crores for the improvement of road within the state in Tuensang-Mon, Kiphire and Wokha districts to be funded by DONER- To be taken up over the next three years period.  

5. Rs.35 crore for the development for infrastructure of Nagaland University at Lumani.  

6. Rs. 25 crore for tourism circuit to link areas in Northern Nagaland, particularly Mon district. 

7. Rs.20 crore for setting up of Regional Information Technology, however land should be provided free of cost by the state government.

8. Rs.18 crore will be provided for completing the remaining works at Indira Gandhi stadium in Kohima in a period of two years.  

9. Rs.15 crore for setting up the Sainik school at Kohima however land should be provided free of cost by the state government.  

10. Rs.15 crore for the up gradation of district hospitals in the state.  

11. Rs.15 crore for the improvement of self-help groups and for empowerment of women-To be funded by respective union ministries.  

12. Rs.15 core will be provided for the control of Jhum and for development of horticulture in the state. 

13. Rs.10 crore to be provided to Rural Employment Generation Progamme, run by Khadi and Village Industries Commission to set up training institute oriented  towards entrepreneurship development and employment generation.  

14. Rs. 10 crore for the development of Kohima Campus of Nagaland University.  

15. Rs.10 crore will be provided for upgrading the higher and high schools for science education and facilities for girls? education.  

16. Rs.10 crore will be provided for the rural health centers, which will be spent strictly through the process of communitisation.  

17. Rs.10 crore will be provided for the development of eco-friendly municipals waste treatment plants at Dimapur, Kohima and other towns.  

18. Rs.10 crore will be provided for the Center for development of  Horticulture, Floriculture an Medicinal Plants.  

19. Rs.5 crore will b provided for the support of the Bamboo Mission to be set by the state government.

Political consensus needed for greater Nagalim: Vajpayee   

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said that all sections of the Naga society should be involved in finding a solution to the vexed Naga-Political problem. A beginning has been made, the process is continuing and will succeed? Mr. Vajpayee asserted, however clarified that? There is no time bound frame and no date has been fixed for the final solution, while addressing a press conference at Raj Bhawan. Asked whether the peace talks has cross the parameter of Indian union, Mr. Vapaypee said that it has not crossed. 

Replying to another query whether there is any plan for the integration of Naga areas into one single set-up by the Union Government, the Prime Minister diplomatically said, “If the state boundaries are to be changed, it can only be done by evolving a political consensus. At present there is no political consensus in the changing the boundaries here,” he informed the media. 

Refusing to comment on the current Naga peace talks between the various Naga factions, the PM said, “Please do not expect details from me,”, adding, “the peace process is continuing and going on.” Asked by the reporters to further explain the uniqueness of ‘Naga identity’, he said, “there are historical facts and I dont have to repeat it again.”  On queried about the status of IMDT issue, Vajpayee said that the proposal is lying with standing committee of the parliament and the final decision will be placed in the next session.

Vajpayee announces Rs 35 crore grants for Nagaland University

Prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced a grant of Rs.35 crore for the development of proper infrastructure of Nagaland University at a new location in Lumani. The visiting prime minister while presiding over the convocation of the university this afternoon said that the work will be implemented by a central sector organization within next three years and the university will be expanded and new infrastructure created. 

He also urged the NU to hold the convocation regularly without fail and said that the university should become a proud and modern landmark in the state, befitting the stature of a centre of excellence in higher education. He also hoped that the state should have a dream to make NU, one of the prominent universities  in India attracting students not only from the  entire country but  also from different parts South-East Asia. 

Making important announcement his speech, Mr. Vajpayee said that the government of India will provide Rs.15 crore for building a new Sainik School in Kohima and also assured that the centre would provide an additional Rs.10 crores each for setting up a Center for Information Technology and a centre for Horticulture and Floriculture and Agro ?Processing for the state of Nagaland.  

The Prime Minister earlier conferred award citations and certificates to Dr. Shurhozelie, who is also the Nagaland planning and urban development minister, the Hononary degree of Doctorate in Literature (D.Litt.) and the degree of doctorate in Philosophy (Ph.D) to ten others from NU. Interestingly, it took nine years for the Nagaland University to hold its first convocation at the New Secretariat complex Plaza. 

The convocation   not only ‘surprised’ the chief guest, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, but the PM has to give a remark saying “Convocation are usually held in a university auditorium inside the university campus and not under a shamiana like this at the central secretariat”. Ironically the convocation was held under a shamiana which provoked Mr Vajpayee to quip. 

However, the Prime Minister understood the problem faced by the Nagaland University and stated “But we all know that one of the teething problems that your university has been facing is that it does not yet have a proper infrastructure.” ‘Nagaland Govt grateful to PM’ Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio said that Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s just concludes three-day visit to the State was ‘highly successful and thanked the premier for the economic package for the State. In a statement, Rio said, “Vajpayee’s visit has been highly successful and fruitful in all aspects” and the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) Government expressed its gratitude to Vajpayee for the economic package and other commitments for the development of the State. “Vajpayee’s decision to travel to Kohima by road speaks volumes of his concern and care for the Nagas. This gesture once again won the hearts of the Naga people and it clearly indicates that he is a leader who has equally genuine concern for all the citizens of the country,” the Chief Minister said.

NSCN (I-M) welcomes Vajpayee’s stand on peace

NSCN (IM) has also welcomed Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s assertion on continuation of political dialogue for an honourable solution to the vexed Naga issue. The organisation hoped that the Prime Minister’s visit would give more “focus” to the Naga political issue so that the problem can be resolved amicably, according to a NSCN(IM) statement. The statement said the outfit in a joint council meeting reviewed the political situation in the Naga inhabited areas in view of Vajpayee’s to Nagaland.

PM’s visit gave soothing touch to Naga’s: UNC 

The United Naga Council (UNC) has said that his visit to Nagaland had touched each and every Naga, soothing the hurts and wounds on the Naga people inflicted by the past. In a statement, the apex body of Manipur Nagas stated that the recent visit of the PM to Nagaland had kindled new hope that the wishes and aspirations of the Naga people are now in safe hands.