The Nagaland Cabinet had its first meeting on Thursday after swearing in of the Neiphiu Rio ministry in the State.
The meeting at onset extended the new Cabinet’s sincere appreciation to the electorate of Nagaland and the citizens of the State for reposing faith in the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party-Bharatiya Janata Party (NDPP-BJP) alliance and voting it to office.
The Cabinet also appreciated the role of the churches, civil societies, tribal hohos, NGOs and civil societies for their ‘positive contributions’ in the election process.
The Cabinet further congratulated the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Election Department of the State, the administration and the state police force and all law enforcing agencies for successful conduct of the elections.
The PDA government also appealed to all sections of the people to leave behind the bitterness of the elections and come together under a spirit of unity and oneness in the ‘greater interest of the people of Nagaland and in the interest of lasting peace’.
The Cabinet further assured the people that it will play the role of facilitator in the on-going peace process so that a solution that is ‘honourable, inclusive and acceptable’ to the people is achieved as soon as possible.
The PDA government also appealed to other Naga people’s groups (NPGs) who are not part of the negotiations to join in the political talks which are currently underway.
The Cabinet also decided to make all out efforts to implement good governance initiatives, implement transparency and promote a culture of meritocracy.
To begin with, the Cabinet has decided that all government departments and government institutions will be required to have its websites, internet portals and social media accounts.
The Cabinet also decided that all government directorates and secretariats will be covered by Aadhaar enabled biometric attendance system within 100 days.
Similar appropriate system will also be devised for ensuring attendance in the district offices.
The Cabinet also decided to do away with VIP culture and has formulated certain regulations to this regard.
The Cabinet has decided that a new Nagaland State Sports Policy will be announced within 100 days while the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima will be renamed T Ao Stadium in memory of the first Naga Olympian to coincide with the centenary year of the sports legend.
The Cabinet also decided to repair and renovate the roads and filling of potholes in the state capital, the commercial hub, Dimapur and the district headquarters within 60 days.
A comprehensive master plan for maintenance of all major roads will also be put in place where citizens can monitor and give feedback on progress of works and quality control using information technology and web based mapping software will be implemented within 100 days.
The Cabinet further decided to formulate a new Civil Aviation Policy to provide air connectivity to remote locations including air ambulances within six months.
For this, a committee will be set up to submit its report within two months.