Nagaland CM urges Centre to expedite Naga peace talks
Kohima, Aug 15 : Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday appealed to the Centre and Naga groups involved in the ongoing parleys to expedite the peace process and arrive at a political solution to the insurgency problem at the earliest.
He said that the ruling People's Democratic Alliance government was committed to play the role of an "active facilitator" in the ongoing negotiations between the two groups.
"In our meeting with the tribal Hohos... it was unanimously resolved to urge all Naga political groups, including NSCN-K (National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang) to renew the ceasefire with the Indian government and join the peace talks to realise an inclusive solution," the Chief Minister said after unfurling the Tricolour at the Secretariat Plaza here to mark the 72nd Independence Day of the country.
He said that several measures were taken to create a conducive atmosphere to ensure the end of Naga insurgency, include setting up of a Political Affairs Committee and holding of consultations with tribal Hohos and civil society groups.
Rio said that he urged all sections of the Naga society to come together to strengthen the peace process and create a congenial environment for the successful conclusion of the ongoing negotiations.
"On our (state government) part, we reiterate our commitment to pave the way for an alternative arrangement that may arise from the political agreement."
On amalgamation of all contiguous Naga areas, the Chief Minister appealed to the neighbouring states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur to appreciate the history and democratic rights of the Nagas in this respect to facilitate harmonious coexistence and brotherhood.
The Chief Minister said that a lot needs to be done in Nagaland vis-a-vis the infrastructure.
"We need to build roads and maintain them, create employment opportunities for our youths to enable them to live their dreams and reach their potential."
He said that lasting peace was needed in Nagaland as a conducive environment for investors that allows them to do business without compromising on Naga history, customs and culture.
"This will help create jobs and bolster our economy. This is an achievable goal and we have a great opportunity to be an equal and proud partner in the Indian growth story."
Thousands of people across Nagaland celebrated the 72nd Independence Day amidst tight security as Rio unfurled the Tricolour at the Secretariat Plaza here and took the salute from marching contingents of paramilitary forces, Nagaland Police, National Cadet Corps, Scouts and Guides, besides school children.
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Padma awardees in Odisha to receive monthly honorarium of Rs 30,000
Bhubaneswar, Jan 16 (PTI): The Odisha government will provide a monthly honorarium of Rs 30,000 to each of the Padma awardees of the state from the current month.
The Odia Language Literature and Culture Department issued a notification to this effect on Thursday.
In view of their outstanding contribution to society in various fields, the state government has decided to provide an honorarium of Rs 30,000 to the Padma awardees, the notification said.
All the Padma awardees of the state, who are alive, will receive the honorarium through direct benefit transfer (DBT) mode from January 2025, it said.
The government has asked collectors and culture officers of all districts to submit details of the Padma award winners (who are alive) including the district collector's certificate, bank account details, IFSC code to the Directorate of Odia, Language, Literature and Culture as soon as possible.
In March last year, the previous BJD government had announced a monthly honorarium of Rs 25,000 for the Padma awardees from Odisha. However, it was not implemented yet, an official of the department said.
In November last year, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had decided to provide Rs 30,000 to the Padma awardees of the state. Accordingly, the formal notification was published on Thursday, he said.
The Padma Award was introduced in 1954. The award is given to personalities for their outstanding contribution in the fields of arts, education, science, sports, social work, public service, medicine, literature, etc.
As per the Padma Awards website of the Ministry of Home Affairs, till now, the President has conferred Padma awards on 105 eminent personalities from Odisha, which includes 90 Padma Shri, 11 Padma Bhushan and four Padma Vibhushan.
