KOHIMA, Jan 1 (NEPS): The Opposition Congress in Nagaland has confidently said the NPF government headed by Neiphiu Rio would “demit office very soon leaving the State’s economy in shambles.”
This was stated in a statement issued by NPCC here Tuesday. The Opposition Congress came down heavily on the Chief Minister Rio for his failure to attend the 57th National Development Council (NDC) meeting on December 28 last at New Delhi and terming it as “very unfortunate” for the people of Nagaland.
“His absence in NDC annual meeting showed that Nagaland’s economic growth was not his priority anymore,” the NPCC statement said and further revealing that the “NPF government will not return to power and therefore they have no more economic plan for the State in the 12th FYP.”
It said in Nagaland, with over 70% of the population engaged in agriculture, the growth target largely depended on this primary sector. However under NPF government, it contributed a dismal 19% only to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 11th FYP. The contributions from secondary and tertiary sectors like industries, road constructions, electricity and water supplies were even more pathetic, the statement further stated.
“The tall claim of NPF government’s development achievement in secondary and tertiary sectors had nil returns in revenue that had contributed to 6.2% growth rate in 11th FYP. Corruption had eaten into the foundation of the State’s economy. The NPF government had over-spent the State’s wealth on over-eating and merry-making,” the NPCC said.
The Opposition Congress said all the Chief Ministers except Nagaland Chief Minister had presented their respective State’s plan for the 12th Five Year Plan (FYP).
Terming as “detrimental” the “casual attitude” of the Chief Minister for the economic growth of the State, the Congress explained the presentation made by Planning Minister T.R. Zeliang on behalf of the Chief Minister that it had “by and large” achieved the targets of the 11th five year plan was a “blatant lie.”
“Earlier on December 1, 2012, the Business Standard report had clearly stated that Nagaland had achieved just 6.2% growth against the target of 9.3% in 11th FYP which was the lowest in the whole of Northeastern States. While other NE States had confidently projected their targets above the national average of 8% for the 12th FYP, Nagaland State had failed to set the target,” the NPCC Statement said.
Stating that the NPF had no vision and economic road-map for the Nagas, the Congress said the NPF government had failed to bear the burden of the people.
It alleged that the NPF government in Nagaland had become a tyranny, besides having no heart for the people. “It had served a handful of coterie only,” it further alleged. “Under NPF government, justice had evaded the people of Nagaland.”
The Congress also charged the NPF Government that the “forced retirement of the government employees, the backdoor appointments, the failure to implement the appointment of graduate and undergraduate teachers, the failure to implement the schemes under the year of entrepreneurs,” were the harsh reminders of injustice dispensed by it.
“With the DAN legislators refusing to step down before the solution, election 2013 is imminent as scheduled,” it said adding, “Free and fair election alone will bring justice.”
The Oppisition Congress also expressed optimism that the party (Congress), if voted to power, was committed to provide a “God-fearing, responsible government” in the State.