Saturday, March 21, 2009

Nagaland News | NABARD plans 210 Cr CC for Nagaland

Dimapur, March 20 (MExN): The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has in place credit planning exercises for Nagaland for the year 2009 -2010 with Rs. 210.31 Crore as the projected credit placement. At the state credit seminar for 2009-2010 on March 20 at Hotel Saramati, the DGM of the bank, KC Panda in his presentation provided an overview of the credit planning exercise of the NABARD. He indicated that NABARD has prepared Potential Linked Credit Plans (PLPs) for all 11 districts of the state. The PLPs form the basis of preparing the district-wise Annual Credit Plan of the banks.

The aggregate of credit disbursement potentials for all districts together for the year 2009-2010 has been pegged at Rs 210.31 crore with crop loan share at 9% (Rs 18.37 crore), agricultural and allied sector term loan at 31 % (Rs. 66.11 crore), non-farm sector (NFS) at 19 % (Rs 39.62 crore), other priority sector at 37% (Rs 77.68 crore) and Agro and food processing sector at 4% (Rs. 8.51 crore). All banks have been advised to gear up their efforts to channel credit to sectors that have potential for exploitation.

The seminar also discussed sector-wise credit plan outlay and other issues critical to achieving the same. The agriculture sectors that need to be focused for credit dispensation by the banks in 2009-2010 as identified by NABARD include, horticulture, animal husbandry, minor irrigation, land development, and the fishery sector.

Further, various aspects of financial inclusion in the wake of implementation of the Dr. Rangaranjan Committee recommendations were discussed. The seminar emphasized on evolution of suitable strategies to ensure that all the households lacking financial services are covered by banks in next 3-5 years.

NABARD has sanctioned Rs. 441.44 crore under RIDF for 485 projects and so far 218 Rural Infrastructure Projects have been completed and many projects are in implementation stage. NABARD has disbursed Rs. 196.58 crore to the state government for rural infrastructure development under RIDF. These projects will result in creation of irrigation potential of 7037 hectare, rural roads of 1128 km, 2 bridges, integrated land development of 12575 ha and production of 31 MW electricity.

Meanwhile, in his inaugural address at the seminar, Minister of Agriculture Dr. Chumben Murry, said agriculture is the mainstay of the local economy and it continues to be the main source of livelihood and employment for majority of the population. This is true particularly of rural areas where 82 % of the population lives, he said. Dr. Murry acceleration of growth in the agricultural sector will not only push the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but also render the growth more inclusive in line with the projections set out in the 11th Five Year Plan.

“In order to achieve the growth rate of ten percent envisaged in the eleventh five year plan, it is expected that the agriculture sector would have to grow at 4% during the current five year plan period” he said. Dr. Murry said all-out efforts are required to increase the growth rate and maintain the tempo of growth of agricultural sector. He also lauded the NABARD, as an apex institution, since its inception on July 12, 1982, has been contributing significantly to the cause of agriculture and rural development as an active partner of the state government and the banking system. ‘Their intervention for development of the agriculture and allied sector and overall economic development of rural people has been commendable’, he said
Also, Minister for Power Doshehe Sema, speaking at the seminar said the state focus paper for 2009-2010 prepared by NABARD is the culmination of a massive exercise undertaken by it throughout the state. The paper was meant for assessing sector-wise exploitable potentials, available infrastructure and other support services as also the policies of the union and the state governments. He lauded the Infrastructure developed under RIDF initiated by NABARD, as it has ‘touched the life of the rural masses’ and brought about transformation of rural economy in the state.


NSCN (IM) rues AR intrusion

Dimapur, March 20 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) today lamented that the Assam Rifles are “busy coming so near the camp to cause another irritant to the NSCN” as the outfit prepares to observe its 29th “republic day” at camp Hebron. There is no reason for the Assam Rifles to be “around the road to Hebron” other than to “play foolhardiness against the sentiments” of the organization, the MIP said in a note today. Expressing strong displeasure at the ‘provocation’ by the AR, the MIP note said the intrusion is ‘uncalled for’. The Assam Rifles are appealed to, to ‘leave in peace’, the celebrations of the organization’s “republic day” and “the world will respect you”.


NSF protests against scam, demands justice

Kohima, March 20 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) today took out a demonstration here at the Old MLA hostel junction in protest against the NPSC answer script-swapping scam. With placards in tow, the students demanded that the “your wrongs” be admitted while ridiculing the commission for being “a reputed market for the rich”. The students also demanded exemplary punishment for the offenders and that all corrupt NPSC employees should be ‘discarded’.

Addressing the demonstration, NSF president Imchatoba Imchen said the students have stepped out to register their protest and fight for justice ‘to have a better future in the society’. The NSF president said Nagaland has less job avenues with the NPSC being the only medium through which educated unemployed youths can avail employment opportunities.

Maintaining that the investigation process in the current scan is not satisfactory, Imchen said if the investigation is hushed up, the youths’ future will be bleak. For this, he said, the investigating agency should go ahead without any reservation.

On the threat perception against the investigating agencies and NPSC officials, Imcha asserted that in order to have a better future for the educated unemployed youths, the Federation is committed to fight all elements and uproot all the evils to cleanse the NPSC once and for all. He also conveyed fullest support to the investigating authorities. “We are committed to built a corruption free NPSC and say no to corruption,” he said.

Further, referring to the threat and intimidation issued by some underground elements, the federation assured that such affronts shall not be tolerated. The NSF has called upon each and every individual to stand together to uproot the corrupt system. “Let us clean NPSC once and for all,” he urged

Supplementing the NSF, Angami Students’ Union president, Kelhouneizo Yhome said that the anti-social elements should not interfere in the process of investigation in any manner. He also warned the 11 candidates and two NPSC staffers involved in the scam that they would be held responsible if anything happens to any of the agencies. The ASU has appealed to the state government to provide all necessary security to the investigating agencies.

A former president of the Angami Students’ Union also appealed to the students to extend their full support to the NSF and ‘give their mandate to go ahead with the move to bring about justice’. Others like the leaders of the Pochury Students’ Union said the NPSC is not a “market” that one can buy. “We want a corruption free society. We want to clean the NPSC so that our future is secured,” the PSU said with assurance of full support to the NSF. Condemning the anomalous system of the NPSC, leaders of the Dimapur Naga Students Union (DNSU) president also urged the government to expedite the process of investigation and make it known to the public.


Source: Morung Express

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