Union Minister for Disinvestments and
in-charge of Northeast development, Arun Shourie,
today said that he saw "great hope for the concept of
communitisation" of public institutions and utilities
in Nagaland.
Addressing a well-attended press conference at the Raj
Bhavan here, the journalist-turned politician said "I
see communitisation as the best way to ensure
accountability and financial responsibility".
If this concept takes off, it would be an example for
the rest of the country to follow the suit, he said.
The Minister (who is BJP) said he found Nagaland Chief
Minister SC Jamir(who is Congress) and Chief Secretary
RS Pandey "very good to work with" especially for
spearheading excellent fiscal discipline and reforms.
And the Government of India for the first time had
awarded A-Grade to Nagaland Government as an incentive
for their better performance in fiscal discipline, he
stated.
Regarding Government of India and NSCN (IM) talks,
Shourie said the Center is very hopeful about it,
adding Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister are
personally and directly keeping an eye on the peace
talks. They had both apprised the Center’s
interlocutor, K Padmanabhaiah of what was proper
before he left to meet the NSCN (IM) leaders in
Europe.
On being queried as to why the Northeast economic
summit slated from July 19 and 20 this month was being
held at Mumbai and not in the Northeast, the Minister
said it was meant to induce private entrepreneurs.
"Unless big people are brought to North-east for
development, we cannot set up projects", he added.
The Union Minister for Power, Suresh Prabhu, all Chief
Ministers of the Northeast and commercial secretaries
of Nepal and Myanmar will be addressing the summit.
The Minister also said his visit was a "most educative
trip". He had spent two hours with the council of
Ministers and another one and half hours with senior
civil servants.
He further appreciated Governor
Shyamal Datta for sparing "a lot of time to give
enlightenment" on the situation in Nagaland.
He left for Dimapur late this evening and will visit
the referral Hospital at 4th Mile, tomorrow and also
will inaugurate inter-state bus terminal at Dimapur
and then return to Delhi.
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