Agatha Sangma visits Nagaland

Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Agatha Sangma paid her two days maiden visit to Nagaland recently.

On her arrival at Dimapur Airport, while interacting with members of the media fraternity on her arrival, she expressed her happiness and pride to be from the Northeastern states and representing them in the present Parliament.

When asked about various central funds and their implementation in the state with emphasis on the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) schemes, Agatha said that the Centre has given certain guidelines to ensure strict implementation of the NREGA schemes in all the states. Putting forth the system of ombudsmen, where individuals will be selected to monitor the scheme, she said that NREGA is implemented at the state level and if they are doing a proper job at the state level, there is lot of scope to uplift the economic status of the rural people. Regarding the development in the North East, she said that the North East is basically rural in nature, but has a lot of potential. Stating that the Centre is the funding agency for development in the Northeastern states, Agatha said that much of the state development is being carried out under the Department of Rural Development and the minister in charge of the department, and she further said that she would like to see development and that the funds are being implemented properly. For the upliftment of the youth of the North East states, Agatha said that there is a lot of affiliation between her and the youth of the region and she feels that she could do her best to ensure that the youth of the region move forward by the incorporation of inclusive development for the youths of the region.

Agatha Sangma during her visit to the state inaugurated the Temvu Karu Agri- Link Road funded under NREGA scheme at Medziphema Village.

Addressing the gathering, she said that it was a rare opportunity for her to witness the completion of a project and to have a first hand experience of the project. She said that Union Ministers rarely turn up in such places. Agatha appreciated the DAN government led by Neiphiu Rio and the fact that the state government is doing its best to bring such Central related schemes to the people and expressed hope that these will improve the condition of the people. Meanwhile, Medziphema Villagers submitted a memorandum to the minister urging for supply of drinking water under the NRDWP scheme in the area.

Other highlights of the programme included folk songs and dances by Garo, Kuki and Angami tribes. The Union minister was accompanied by the director of Rural Drinking Water, RK Singh; Lok Sabha MP, CM Chang; State Agriculture Minister, Chumben Murry; NCP general Secretary North East, Neiba Ndang, Azheto Zhimomi MLA, Government officials and a host of other dignitaries and public leaders of the area. She also addressed the 35th annual social of Patkai Christian College Dimapur.

She also called on the Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at the private residence of the Chief Minister in Dimapur.

Xavier Rutsa