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09/06/2005: "NSCN(IM) leaders to meet Naga NGOs in Bangkok"

NSCN(IM) leaders to meet Naga NGOs in Bangkok
KOHIMA, Sept. 5: The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) has decided to hold a consultative meeting with different NGOs in Bangkok this week. NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah will meet leaders of Naga Hoho, Naga Council, Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and other NGOs on Thursday and Friday, sources said. The move has come a few days after a Naga integration rally was organised in Kohima by several organisations, which was termed as an “epoch-making event” by the Hoho.
“Whenever there is some issue, we have to have consultation with our people. This is one of those meetings where we will discuss the future because when we say solution, it should not be detrimental to the interests of either India or the Nagas,” NSCN (I-M) kilo kilonser (home minister) R. Raising told The Telegraph.
Several Naga leaders have left for Bangkok from Nagaland and more will leave tomorrow.
However, among the prominent absentees will be representatives of the Tuensang Mon Public Organisation. The organisation did not attend the integration rally and is opposed to Hoho president Horangse Sangtam. That, however, has not stopped others from proceeding to the Thai capital.

Before leaving for Bangkok, Naga Hoho general secretary Neingulo Krome said Hoho leaders would let the NSCN (I-M) leaders know about the “success of the integration rally”.
The Hoho leader said the rally highlighted the aspirations of the Naga people to stay under one administrative unit. He said this should be communicated by the NSCN (I-M) to the Centre. Krome was critical of a recent statement attributed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the Centre will maintain the territorial integrity of Manipur. He said this amounted to playing hide-and-seek with the Nagas as the Centre has maintained that it is serious about resolving the Naga problem.

Sources said the NSCN (I-M) was strengthening its units in Bangkok and Amsterdam in order to give a thrust to the Naga issue. As a result, some of its leaders may be “transferred” to these locations. “We have foreign relations and this is known by the government of India and whatever is happening, we are communicating it (to the Centre),” said Raising. Asked if the flurry of activities meant that there was some solution on the anvil, the NSCN (I-M) leader said there was bound to be a solution sooner or later. Both the Centre and the outfit are looking for a solution based on objective reality, he said. “We don’t want violence”.
Raising termed the United Committee, Manipur (UCM) a “liar”, making a reference to the UCM’s criticism of the Naga MPs and MLAs from Manipur for attending the integration rally. He said the UCM was not understanding the Naga problem and integration did not mean that the Nagas would attack the Meiteis in Imphal Valley. The Naga Hoho also flayed the UCM’s statement. (Telegraph)
Rally rap on Naga MLAs from Manipur ATOM SAMARENDRA Imphal, Sept. 5: The Telegraph Two of the five elected representatives of Manipur who took part in the Naga integration rally in Kohima on August 31 have been served showcause notices by their party. The Federal Party of Manipur (FPM) today asked Henry Paotei and Samula Jendai to show cause within 10 days why they should not be suspended or expelled from the party for violating Article 2(4) of its constitution by participating in the Naga rally. The notices come in the wake of the directive issued by the United Committee, Manipur (UCM), asking political parties of the state to take action against those MLAs who had taken part in the rally. It said any party failing to do so would be taken as being anti-Manipur. The UCM, which had led the June 2001 uprising in the state against the extension of the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) ceasefire beyond Nagaland, said the representatives’ pro-integration rhetoric were a negation of the state’s efforts to protect its territorial integrity. Initiating the first step in this respect, the FPM adopted a resolution to this effect yesterday in a meeting attended by its MLAs and functionaries at the residence of Irengbam Hemochandra, the party legislator from Singjamei constituency. The FPM’s spokesperson L. Ibomcha Singh said the party’s disciplinary action committee would decide the action to be taken against the two MLAs after they furnish a reply. The party’s central committee, however, would take the final decision.
Jendai said he is yet to receive the showcause notice and would not like to comment without going through its contents. Paotei was not available for comment. The participants at yesterday’s meeting also resolved to submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking him to make a firm commitment in Parliament to safeguard Manipur’s territorial integrity. The others Naga legislators of Manipur who took part in the rally were Denny Shaiza of the BJP and Wungnaoshang Keishing of the Congress. Independent Lok Sabha member from Outer Manipur, Mani Charenamei, had also attended the rally and addressed the gathering.
SBI's paradigm for green economy in Nagaland draws Intl.attention
Dimapur | September 05, In the wake of rapidly declining role of government(s) to intervene financially in public services and development programs, it is inevitable that financial institutions are bound to emerge as the biggest player in public life. In Nagaland too, one of the largest public sector banks in the world the State Bank of India (SBI) is slowly but certainly spreading its wings to its non-traditional business sectors like agricultural sector and raised the Credit-Deposit (CD) ratio to 27 per cent from 13 percent in just two years despite constraints such as poor recovery rate. Higher CD ratio reflects higher loan allocation against the size of deposit. Some of the projects financed by the SBI in the state are quickly transforming into paradigms for introduction in underdeveloped or violence-stricken zones of the country like the Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir.
The success story of its Jalukie Passion Fruit Project being implemented through a cluster of local SHGs under the banner of UCOS has suddenly drawn interest from both the PMO and the Union Finance Ministry as well as development agencies in Western hemisphere as a paradigm worth duplicating in underdeveloped regions dependent upon agro economy for their salvation. SBI DGM Surjya Phukan, who will soon leave the state on promotion as General Manager SBI, told ANI that its agri-credit programs touched passion fruit project in Jalukie and Peren, Maize Cultivation project in Jalukie, Small Dairy Units in Dimapur under KOMUL, Bee Keeping farmers in Tuensang district and small tea growers in Sichung under Mokokchung. "204 passion fruit farmers in Jalukie, 300 maize crop farmers, 104 small tea growers in Sichung and 50 Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Tuensang into bee keeping were some of the initial beneficiaries of our new approach to Nagaland", said SBI GM Phukan. Significantly, unlike its traditional role of financing feasible projects, here in the state the SBI is walking the extra mile to ensure that what the farmers produce do not go waste: it has linked up the farmers with buyers by scouting markets across the country and zeroing in on long-term buyers.
And the impact has been inspiring : First generation passion fruit producers in Peren district now only have to dispatch their produce to Exotic Fruit Juices (P) Ltd. At Mao Gate in Manipur to get their payment delivered to a SBI account by the buyer. Similarly the maize farmers in Jalukie under SBI scheme has a ready market in the shape of the buyers, Ekta Agro house in Guwahati. Interestingly, home grown tea would soon go under the hammer at the world renowned Guwahati Tea Auction. "For the first time, after improving the quality of homegrown tea from Mokokchung using improved processing methods courtesy the Tocklai Tea Research Centre in Jorhat Assam, tea produce from Mokokchung would be sent to the world renowned Guwahati Tea Auction", said the GM Phukan. He added that after improved methods were used in developing better quality tea in the state brokers at the Tea Auction had endorsed the tea from Sichung as of 'good quality brand with high potential' which could fetch more than Rs. 120 per kg. To further boost tea cultivation prospects in the hill districts of the state the SBI has financed a tea factory in Mokokchung district to set up modern machines and to meet its working capital besides promising to finance more tea growers.
Phukan, an IITian, also said that the honey produced by bee keepers in Tuensang have ready buyers in CK Udyog Jorhat, a honey processing company. Aimed at generating economic opportunities as well as sustaining the growth potential of its current projects, Phukan said that in a major departure from its defined role the SBI Nagaland has embedded two teams of technical personnel for supporting the ongoing projects in Tuensang and Jalukie. "Besides, we have supported 64 SHGs managed by women in Tuensang, Noklak and Sangsanguy areas targeting drug affected and HIV infected families", informed the GM. Giving a roadmap of the SBI's expansion plan in the state, Phukan said that the state would soon have three more ATMs " one in Mokokchung, another in Dimapur and yet another in Rangapahar. Three branches in Nagaland have been converted into Core Banking Solution Branches " namely, Dimapur Evening, Kohima Bazar and Lerie Branch. "Three more are to be covered under this nationwide network", he added. Core Banking Solution network also called Anywhere Banking helps a customer holding an account in any CBS Branch to meet his banking needs like converting a cheque or drawing money from his account from any other another CBS Branch wherever the latter might be located. The SBI is also all decked up to expand a new intervention program introduced in the state on trial basis with implication in the rural sector : under a scheme drawn up by the Centre it has extended soft loan for farmers through the Village Development Boards (VDBs).
"We have financed 17 selected VDBs out of which 14 are of recent origin. This is likely to be expanded further so as to cover more VDBs", the SBI GM said. Further, the SBI will also increase its activity in housing projects in the state, take up more EDPs for potential women entrepreneurs, enhance business hours, introduce modern banking amenities like internet banking and e-pay facilities. Towards this end, the SBI GM has urged the state government to assist the SBI in improving the recovery rate in the state. He also lauded the SBI staff and their camaraderie and passion to improve banking services for what had been achieved by the SBI till date as one of the largest and fasted growing banks in the world. (ANI)
Change Teaching Methods: Nagaland Governor Kohima, September 5, 2005
Nagaland Governor Shyamal Datta has called upon teachers of the state to be more dedicated in their service to build a better society. Speaking to teachers at the Durbar Hall in Kohima on the occasion of Teachers' Day, Datta urged teachers to examine the academic background of students while teaching in the classroom. Most students from classes VIII to XII were not sure about what they wanted to do in the future, he said. Students in the area also did not read enough, the Governor said.
Stressing on the need for Vocational Courses, Dutta said that rather than stick to the traditional methods, the pattern of teaching should be changed from time to time. The Governor called upon the teachers to improve communication between teachers, students and parents in order to address their problems through discussion. Teachers must have a "common vision" to make society better and also to build the human resources to cater to the needs of society, the Governor said. (By arrangement with Newsfile)
Significance of the cease-fire declaration on September 6, 1964 Morung Express
INTRODUCTION The Nagaland Baptist Church Council neither proposes any political agenda nor works for a political goal since it is the prerogatives of the different bodies of the Naga National workers and the Naga people. However, NBCC asserts the natural validity and legitimacy of Naga political rights for self determination. NBCC advocate the use of peaceful means in the Naga struggle and achieving their aspiration. Accordingly NBCC initiated the Peace Mission, and Cease-fire agreement was declared on September 6, 1964 between the Government of India and the Federal Government of Nagaland creating the historic platform of Indo-Naga Peace Talk. Upon the similar foundation, the peace process between NSCN (IM) and the Government of India is presently in process.
I. THE POSITION OF THE NAGAS 1. Before the advent of the British into Naga country, the Naga territory remained independent and un-administered by any foreign power since time immemorial. The Nagas ruled themselves. The British Government arrived and occupied a part of Nagaland in 1880 A.D. bordering the eastern side of Assam called the Naga Hills comprising several tribes. After about 4 decades of British occupation of the Naga Hills, the British wanted to arrange the administration in India and to study about the same. A Commission was detailed to India called the Simon Commission which arrived in Nagaland in 1929. The Naga leaders submitted a memorandum stating that Nagas be left alone as before the advent of British but not with the Indians if Britishers leave India soil.
2. Based on this memorandum, the Naga Hills was put as "Excluded Area" from British-India under Constitutional Act of 1935. This excluded area was looked after directly by the Governor of Assam since 1936.
3. Thereafter, the Nagas declared themselves as independent people on 14 August 1947, ahead of one day from declaration of India’s Independence on 15 August, 1947. This Independent Declaration was made out of the British Government statement on 6th of December 1946 which read as follows:
"Should a Constitution come to be framed by the Constituent Assembly in which a large section of India’s population had not been represented, his Majesty’s Government would not contemplate forcing such a Constitution upon any unwilling part of the Country." (No.7 & 8 are at p/2 and p/4 of the Constitution of India by Durga Das Basu 5th Edition February 1965) This led to the adoption of 8 resolutions by Constituent Assembly of India in its session on 22 January, 1947 whereof Resolution No.2 reads as follows:-
"Wherein the territories that now comprise British India, the territories that now form the Indian States, and such other parts of India, as are outside British India and the States as well as such other territories as are willing to be constituted into the Independent Sovereign shall be a Union of them all."
4. Again the Naga Hills people/excluded area people conducted a National plebiscite on 16th May 1951 within British administered territory where 99.9% voted for the Sovereignty of Nagaland affirming the 14th August 1947 Independent declaration. Declaration of Independence and the National Plebiscite has been taken under the initiative of Naga National Council.
5. As the Naga plebiscite further strengthened the people’s mandate to Naga National Council and the Naga Tatar Hoho, that is the Naga Parliament, and adopted the Constitution of Nagaland, which brought together the Free Nagas and NNC and established the Federal Government of Nagaland on 22nd of March 1952. The Free Nagas are those Naga tribes who were never ruled by British or any other foreign rule but ruled by themselves under Honking Government.
6. In the meantime both Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru made these commitments:
Mahatma Gandhi the father of the Nation stated like this when he met the Naga delegation on July 19, 1947 in New Delhi.
(1) "Nagas have every right to be independent. We did not want to live under the domination of the British and they are now leaving us. I want you to feel that India is yours. I feel that the Naga Hills are mine just as much as they are yours, but if you say ‘it is mine’ then the matter must stop there. I believe in the brotherhood of man, but I do not believe in force or forced unions. If you do not wish to join the union of India nobody will force you to do that."
Jawaharlal Nehru declaration: (2) "We want no people in the territory of India against their will and with the help of armed forces. We want no forced marriages or forced unions. This great Republic of India is a free, friendly and an affectionate union of the states of India."
II. POSITION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (GoI)
After the Indian Independence in 1947 the GoI maintained that Nagaland shall never be allowed to secede from India on the following grounds.
1. All British ruled territories including Nagaland were handed over to India by the British Government during their departure.
2. Nagaland is an integral part of India.
3. Except a few negligible percentages of the Naga rebels, Naga people want to be with India.
4. The Naga People’s Convention had made a 16-point agreement with GoI in 1960 and accepted Statehood under the Indian Union in 1963.
5. Reaffirming their will and decision, vast majority of the Nagas are participating in Nagaland State elections eagerly under the Indian constitution.
6. Naga rebel organizations must be banned and their activities should be curbed by all means.
7. The question of Sovereignty and Independence of Nagaland does not arise.
III. WAGING WAR IN NAGA SOIL.
The GoI had authorized Assam State and NEFA Administration to take joint police action to deal with the offenders (Nagas) (Deccan Chronicle July 31,1955). By 1956 Assam State alone spent Rs. 85,855,266/- by 1956 and sanctioned Rs. 39 millions in 1957-58 in Assam State budget. (The Statement April 20, 1956). On perceiving the rampant destruction of the Nagas, NNC organised Naga Home Guards and fought against the Assam police. Empowered by the Assam maintenance public order Act, the Police fought against the Nagas but could not subdue them. So the Indian Army troops moved into Tuensang by October 1955 and the war with the Nagas started from then (B. N. Mullik: My Years With Nehru p. 308). "The war brought heavy casualties on both sides. But the casualty list and the saga of suffering has been much more painful to the Nagas" (Kaka D. Iralu. Nagaland and India - The blood and Tears p.31)
IV. WHY NBCC IS INVOLVED IN NAGA ISSUE
From 1953, raids, fines, arrests, imprisonments, killings, burning of villages, terrorizing activities upon innocent public with legal protection of the Assam maintenance of public order Act and Disturbed area Act by GoI continued to be meted out. The Police and Security non-commission officers were authorized to arrest or shoot and kill the suspected. The law prohibited holding of meetings or assemblies and shouting slogans with the penalty of two years imprisonment. Forced labour for transportation of materials for military construction of new roads and buildings were enforced. By 1955, 10,000 Nagas were beaten and tortured including 1,564 women, 26,598 houses and 515 granaries were burnt and 1811 men maimed through torture. In the later period killing of more than 1,00,000 Nagas and destruction of huge properties were inflected. In October 1956 horror and nightmare of the people multiplied as two Divisions of Indian army moved to Nagaland. NNC also formed Federal Forces and the first retaliation took place in March 24, 1956. Schools were closed down for years together with the Army occupying the school buildings. After the Armed Forces Special Power Act of 1958, Nagaland was in the hands of the army, as the Act had given unlimited powers to them. The implications of this Act amounted to Indian soldiers being empowered by law to kill on suspicion, burn and destroy as they like. And under this legal umbrella they even started to rape and torture innocent villagers with impunity. The innocent public bled, cried, suffered and died but the world never heard their cries of agony. Almost every Naga family was desecrated and almost every Naga village was burned down to ashes.
Following the burning of villages, a mass exodus of helpless villagers fled into the jungle for their lives almost naked and foodless. The former Chief Minister of Nagaland S.C. Jamir wrote in 1974 thus: "Most of the villages and granaries were burned down and people preferred to run away and hide in the jungle for safety". Starvation, hunger, diseases and deaths among the dispersed increased and thus many perished in the jungle habitats. Indian Army shot the village elders when they refused to supply them with Naga ladies. The mighty Indian armed forces even raped the mad, paralyzed women. Women and girls were arrested everyday kept in their custody and usually raped by the Army officers. Some were kicked to death after raping. Thousands of Naga women were paralyzed, maimed and died. They had committed many shameless crime and evils including committing sodomy on the innocent boys. Inhuman treatment was meted out upon the captured Naga soldiers destroying their vital parts including testicles. The captured Naga fighters were injected to death by the Indian military doctors. Indian Armed Forces are considered to be one of the disciplined forces in the world but it is unfortunate that their excessive cruelty and atrocities left a permanent scar on the impression of the common Nagas about Indian army. (Nagaland and India-the blood and The Tears by Kaka Iralu P. 543 pages are the records of many unbelievable records B.N. Mullik: My years with Nehru 1948-64).
Rev. Dr. V. K. Nuh on September 6, 2004 Cease-Fire Speech stated:
"I can well remember how dark those days were, when no foreigners were allowed to witness the situation in the early part of 1955. While the whole world was busy in their own affairs, Nagaland was converted into a prison cell."
Nothing can be more unfortunate for a person who has been completely cut off from his/her family’s love and care, and nothing can be more tragic than a person who has been tortured to death. Perhaps in the history of wars, Nagas had suffered the most when their villages were burned to ashes and the entire population hunted down like animals in the jungles except for some few traitors here and there, hardly any true Naga lived in towns and villages.
Thousands of children were born abnormal owing to the mental tortures and psychological depression of their mothers and parents. Many innocent people were beaten to death or burned to death. Hundreds of Naga women were treated in the most shameful way. Defenseless Nagas were tortured in the heat as well as in the cold. They were not even allowed to go for nature’s call, and so many Nagas were left to the mercy of the most cruel and inhuman personnel of the India Armed Forces. Yet, no one dared to neither protest nor beg for his /her right even on humanitarian ground.
V. CEASE-FIRE Viewing the seriousness of the situation, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) had a convention at Wokha from February 2-4, 1964. In it, a resolution was passed to bring about a peaceful settlement between the Government of India and the Federal Government of Nagaland. Consequently, a Peace Mission was formed with Mr. B.P. Chaliha, the then Chief Minister of Assam, Mr. Jayaprakash Narayan a veteran freedom fighter and Rev. Michael Scott a popular missionary from England. They came forward and took up responsibilities sincerely and made many contacts with both sides. After many selfless efforts, they got positive response even from the Federal Government of Nagaland. They met at the Peace Mission at Sakraba in Phek district, after which an agreement was signed on the 24th of May 1964.
Thus a Cease-Fire between the two Governments was agreed upon. With the Peace Mission as go between, contacts were started and a Cease-fire Agreement was declared on September 6, 1964. We remember how Naga people rejoiced over the dawn of peace in our land. Naga people must remain grateful to those who worked so hard for this historic day in time of need. Most of them are no more with us today. It would be inappropriate not to mention the names of these people; Rev. Longri Ao, Rev. Kenneth Kerhuo, Rev. Shihoto Swu, Rev. Ahamo, Rev. Kevizelie, Rev. Kijung Ao, Rev. V. K. Nuh, Rev. Kho-u Savino, Rev. Hazeding Lungalang, Rev. Ashuli Mao, Rev. Rusulo, Rev. Manem, Rev. Dupor Vasa, Rev. Ayutemjen, Rev. Litsase, Rev. Phanipphang, Rev. Toniho, Rev. Mankup, Rev. L. Mhasi, Rev. Yankey Patton, Rev. Neiliezhü Usoü, and Rev. Y. Chingang. There are many others. Besides we remember Dr. Aram, Miss Marjoria Sykes as peace observer team.
During the 1964 Cease-Fire six rounds of Peace Talk was held with the Prime Minister by the FGN delegation but Peace Talk was dead locked without any outcome and Cease-Fire was abrogated by GoI on August 31, 1972. The next Cease-fire declared between NSCN (IM)-GoI in July 31, 1997 and more than 40 rounds of Peace talks were held at Prime Minister Level and we are yet to see the concrete outcome. NSCN (K) also signed Cease-fire with GoI in April 28, 2001. Peace Talk has not yet begun. Issued by NBCC Office August 17, 2005
Govt-NDFB peace talks yet to get under way By R Dutta Choudhury Assam Tribune
GUWAHATI, Sept 5 – More than three months have passed since the ceasefire agreement between the Central and State governments and militant outfit National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) came into effect, but till date talks on substantive issues are yet to get under way. Highly placed official sources said that allegations of extortions by the cadres of the NDFB are also causing concern, while the outfit is yet to submit the lists of its cadres and weapons to the government as per the ceasefire agreement. Sources said that immediately after the ceasefire agreement came into effect on June 1, the first meeting of the joint monitoring groups was held in Guwahati and the NDFB was told that it can establish three designated camps in the districts of Kokrajhar, Bagsa and Udalguri. The Government agreed to provide logistic support for the setting up of the camps and the personnel of the SSB were to provide security to the camps as the State Police does not have adequate number of personnel to spare for the job. The NDFB was asked to provide the list of its cadres and it was also directed by the Government that all the cadres should come into the camps by July 1. But unfortunately, the designated camps are yet to be set up and the cadres of the NDFB are still roaming around openly. The Central Government has received allegations of large-scale extortion by some cadres of the NDFB in different Bodo dominated areas of the State and it is also alleged that development projects of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) were affected because of extortion bids by the NDFB, who allegedly demanded money from the contractors. The SSB personnel, posted along the Assam-Bhutan border also reported the matter to the Central Government, following which, the Centre has directed the Government of Assam to take strict action to stop such activities of the NDFB. The Union Home Secretary, during his recent visit to the State, also directed the State Government officials to look into the matter. According to intelligence reports, the NDFB also recruited new cadres even after the cease-fire agreement, giving rise to speculations on whether the outfit came into the cease-fire agreement only to strengthen itself. The next meeting of the cease-fire monitoring group is scheduled to be held next week and the Government representatives will raise these issues in the meeting. Commenting on the delay in starting of the formal talks, official sources said that it would depend on the NDFB. Sources revealed that the militant outfit would first have to submit its list of demands, on the basis of which formal talks can begin. But till date, the NDFB has not submitted its list of demands and “the Government is still not aware of the demands of the NDFB.” It may be mentioned here that the NDFB leaders, in the public meetings after the cease-fire pact, reiterated demand for sovereign Boroland. Sources also revealed that the NDFB chairman Nabla Daimary has not yet come to Assam even after three months of the cease-fire agreement and official sources said that according to reports available with the security agencies, he is still in Bangladesh.
It may be mentioned here that the NDFB, in response to an appeal by the State Government, announced a unilateral cease-fire and expressed its willingness to come forward for talks with the Government of India, which resulted in the signing of the cease-fire pact, which was signed on behalf of the NDFB by its general secretary Govinda Basumatary.

JOB GUARANTEE FOR THE RURAL POOR By E.C Thomas
The new employment guarantee scheme provides an indispensable lifeline to the millions of poor in the rural areas of the country. This social security measure, for the first time makes the right to work a fundamental legal right - a new, radical deal for India’s poor. The Parliament has approved the National Rural Employment Bill, 2005 seeking to provide 100 days assured employment every year to every rural household in 200 districts. This landmark legislation was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 23 and the Rajya Sabha on August 24, 2005. The Bill drafted after wide consultations fulfills a major promise of the UPA’s National Common Minimum Programme. The legislation has received wide support among political parties, social movements and the public at large.
Intervening in the debate on the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh argued for rationalizing subsidies, improving the investment climate and accelerating the pace of industrialization to maintain the economic growth of seven to eight per cent to fund schemes such as Rural Employment Guarantee. He described it as the "most important piece of legislation" in independent India. It marked a new beginning in the efforts for social equity and justice. He hoped that in the next four or five years it would cover all rural districts. Dr. Singh said this legislation will give bargaining power to the poorest of the poor and help those belonging to the Scheduled Casts, Scheduled Tribes, landless class and women. We are offering a modest, gainful employment that will fetch Rs. 500 per month for a family. This will bring landless families in the social safety net," he said.
Replying to the debate, Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh assured the members that village panchayats would play a pivotal role in the implementation of the National Employment Guarantee Scheme and money would not be a constraint in accomplishing the commitments made by the UPA Government in this regard. Initially, the scheme would be implemented in 200 districts across the country, which would be extended to 600 districts. One third of the proposed jobs would be reserved for women. The Centre has taken responsibility to providing financial assistance to the scheme and the States only had to implement it. The minimum wage as applicable in various States under the Minimum Wages Act 1948 would apply to the programmes. However, the Centre would step in to ensure a minimum rate of not less than Rs. 60 a day in States, where it was lower.
The minimum wages offered for manual work in states currently varies from Rs. 25 in Nagaland to Rs. 134 in Kerala. The Bill also provides for unemployment allowance if the job, under the scheme, is not provided within a specified period. The minimum daily wage has been fixed at Rs. 60. The UPA government has already made available about Rs. 10,000 crores for implementation of the scheme in the current financial year.
Background Productive absorption of under employed and surplus labour force in the rural sector has been a major focus of planning for rural development. In order to provide direct supplementary wage employment to the rural poor through public works, many programmes were initiated by the Government of India, namely, National Rural Employment Programme (NREP), Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme (RLEGP) and Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY).
Currently, Sampoorna Gramin Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) is being implemented all over the country with the objective to provide supplementary wage employment in rural areas, create durable rural infrastructure and to ensure food security. Though the SGRY is providing some relief to the rural poor, its reach has been inadequate in view of the dimension of the unemployment in rural areas.
It has been indicated in the statement of objects and reasons annexed to the Bill that the scale of employment generation under SGRY in 2002-03 and 2003-04 was barely adequate to provide on an average 20 days of employment to each Below Poverty Line (BPL) household in the rural areas. Secondly, there is no guarantee that employment will be available to the rural households on demand as SGRY is an allocation based programme. The situation of unemployment has been compounded by the absence of any social security mechanism. The legislation constitutes a pioneering endeavour to secure wage employment for the households in the rural areas as a guaranteed entitlement on this scale. It takes into account the experience of 30 years gained under the Employment Guarantee Scheme in Maharashtra. Considering that a programme of this kind is being contemplated on such a massive scale for the first time, it has to be necessarily implemented in phases so as to eventually cover all the rural areas of the country, subject to the economic capacity of the Central and State Governments.
Provisions Some of the salient features of the legislation are: The State Government shall, in such rural areas in the State and for such period as may be notified by the Central Government, provide to every household guaranteed wage employment in unskilled manual work at least for a period of one hundred days in a financial year in accordance with the provisions made in the legislation. The one hundred days of employment under the legislation will be provided at the wage rate to be specified by the Central Government for the purpose of this legislation. Until such time a wage rate is specified by the Central Government for an area, the minimum wage rate fixed by the State Government under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 for agricultural labourers shall be considered as the wage rate applicable to that area. If an eligible applicant is not provided work as per the provisions of this legislation within the prescribed time limit, it will be obligatory on the part of the State Government to pay unemployment allowance at the prescribed rate.
A Central Employment Guarantee Council at the Central level and State Employment Guarantee Councils at the State level in all States where the legislation is made applicable will be constituted for review, monitoring and effective implementation of the legislation in their respective areas. The Standing Committee of the District Panchayat, District Programme Coordinator, Programme Officers and Gram Panchayats have been assigned specific responsibilities in implementation of various provisions of the legislation at the Gram Panchayat, Block and District levels. The Central Government shall establish a fund to be called ‘National Employment Guarantee Fund’ for the purposes of this legislation. Similarly, the State Governments may constitute State Employment Guarantee Funds. Provisions for transparency and accountability, audit, establishment of grievance and redressal mechanisms and penalty of non-compliance are also envisaged.
Analysis The key to this legislation lies in the word ‘guarantee’. India abounds in schemes for the poor – all too often instruments for the State to display its munificence whenever political expediency demands it. A guarantee seeks to take this power away from the hands of the politicians and their pretenders. It makes it a right, something that people will expect and demand, something they can complain about, or in extremes, sue the government to get. It has the potential to profoundly alter the way bureaucrats treat the people they are supposed to serve. The Employment Guarantee Scheme will be different from the many employment generation programmes. It is because they were implemented as programmes, subject to budgetary constraints and rules and regulations to suit implementing authorities. They were not statutorily assured and judicially enforceable rights/entitlements of free citizens of the country. With the present Bill, the state fulfils the right of the poor to a livelihood.
Conclusion The implementation of an employment guarantee will require money, but it saves social and economic costs of poverty. Most official estimates place the annual expenditure at Rs. 40,000 crores to Rs. 50,000 crores for expansion to the whole country in five years. In a democracy, the poor majority can justifiably demand a one per cent share of the GDP, of a country which has a six to seven per cent growth rate. With one of the lowest tax to GDP ratios in the world, the question of whether we can afford it is almost farcical. There is a genuine fear of large scale corruption in such programmes. But we cannot forget that these arguments are most often citied as reasons for not implementing programmes for the poor. The Bill would have to been seen against the background of the improved Right to Information Act, which would enable social audits and greater public scrutiny of the programmes. It will ensure greater accountability of panchayat bodies and the district administration as well. For example, muster rolls will no longer be secret, and budget and works will be public knowledge. All this will ensure that only those who really need work will be employed, and only those schemes required by the community are taken up.
“Look towards East” policy to open international market NET News Network Dimapur, Sept 5: The Nagaland handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation Ltd. Dimapur is organising a 5-day district level festival on exhibition cum sale of handloom and handicraft sponsored by Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India at Dimapur Club from September 5 to 9. The exhibition was inaugurated by Director, Industries & Commerce, Er. G. Keppen Rengma today. Rengma in his speech stated that Nagaland has the potentiality to export handlooms and handicrafts to the international market based on its rich heritage and culture of various tribes which will give State resources. Keeping in mind these potentialities, the State Govt. has introduced a policy of ‘Look Towards East’, which will enable the State to open a new market route to the neighbouring countries like Myanmar and its adjoining Far East countries for trade.
Rengma further stated, “ Our State has readily available abundant raw material, skilled labour and artisans and I appeal to the local entrepreneurs, craftsmen and weavers for quality production which will have international market value with high demand in production”. The Director also opined that the State Govt. could play a vital role as facilitator to local entrepreneurs to generate employment and revenue for the State by exhilarating the opening trading centres like Longwa at Mon, Pangsha at Tuensang, Mimi at Ohek etc, which is bordering and other countries. Altogether 20 stalls by various local entrepreneurs are displaying their products for exhibition and public sale.
Centre's aid sought to set up security posts on NH-53 b Our Staff Reporter IMPHAL, Sep 5 : The State Police Department has submitted a proposal to the Union Home Ministry to sanction Rs 5 lakhs to enable the police to set up security posts along NH-53. Speaking to The Sangai Express a well placed source said that the proposal was submitted to the Centre following the sensitisation of the route by the Army and handing over the security charge to the CRPF. Police Headquarters approached the Centre to set up the security posts to house the CRPF personnel following the assurances given by the Union Home Secretary that the Centre will spare no efforts to develop and protect the highway.
The security posts are to be built by the Manipur Police Housing Corporation and along with the DC of Tamenglong altogether 18 sites have identified for the security posts to come up, said the source.
On the other hand, the BRTF has been pressed into action to ensure that the bridges located between Barak and Jiribam are strengthened so that it can bear the weight of 24 tonner trucks.
The BRTF is likely to submit an Action Plan for the bridge strengthening exercise to the State Government within this month. Even though plans are afoot to replace the bailey and Hamilton bridges between at the Makru valley and Barak valley with RCC bridges, the existing bridges will be strengthened to carry the carry the weight of 24 tonner trucks as building RCC bridges will take time.
Discussions are also underway to tackle the difficulties likely to be faced while converting the Barak to Jiribam stretch into a double lane, said the source. Earlier the Governor had expressed belief that the bridges on this route will be able to bear the weight of 20 tonner trucks by Nov.