Kohima, October 14 2009: Union Home Secretary GK Pillai said that in the present circumstances in the North East the 'physical integration of Naga inhabited areas' is not possible.

He, however, said the centre can explore possibility of Nagas in the areas of culture, social practices, and customary laws through some mechanism.

He also said that the Centre will try to be accommodative as much as possible in terms of the proposed package which will be open for negotiation and discussion as the Constitution of India is amendable.

Union Home Secretary GK Pillai arrived in Kohima on Tuesday and left the Nagaland capital on Wednesday.

G.K.Pillai stated today that the primary issue of his visit to Nagaland was to get the views from all sections of Naga society with regard to the political proposal, which is under preparation by the Government of India to bring about an honourable political settlement, acceptable to the Naga people and Government of India.

Addressing a press conference at Hotel Japfu in Kohima today, the Union Home Secretary stated that the political package would be the basis on which further negotiations could take place to arrive at an honorable settlement, adding that it would be a substantive political package.

He said Amendment of the Constitution of India is definitely a part of the package the centre will make in the offer.

He said centre will try to be accommodative as much as possible in terms of the proposed package which will be open for negotiation and discussion.

He said the proposed peace package by the centre to the Naga people was an offer and not a conditional package.

He expressed optimism that the political package would be ready before the year ends.

He also stated that the presentation of the package would not harm any unity process and it would be one, which is unique to Nagas.

On the issue of integration of Naga inhabited areas he said in the present circumstances in the North east the physical integration of Naga inhabited areas was not possible.

He, however, said the centre can explore possibility of Nagas in the areas of culture, social practices, and customary laws through some mechanism.

He also said that the Centre will try to be accommodative as much as possible in terms of the proposed package which will be open for negotiation and discussion as the Constitution of India is amendable.

He disclosed that various development issues such as health and roads were discussed in his meeting with the state government officials.

He said that setting up a Medical College in the state, roads and their maintenance, expediting the revival of Tuli Paper Mill, issue of unemployed youth were some of the issues that were discussed.

He said that with regard to relaxation on restrictions on foreigners visiting Nagaland, the state government would be submitting proposals.

He also disclosed that the state has the lowest number of trained teachers and seven districts in the state still do not have any Teachers Training Institutes, for which the state government has sought his help.

He said that the ideas and suggestions that came up during the two day extensive consultations would be communicated back to the Union Home Minister and the Prime Minister.

Tea hurdles of Assam (Guwahati): The state of Assam is acclaimed the contribution of huge quantity of tea to the world.

However, there are various shortcomings in the tea industry and adopting steps to boost the tea industry is utmost important for the improvement of the economy of the state.

Assam has over 800 tea plantations and contributed about one-sixth of the world's entire tea production and 55 percent of the contribution of tea is from Assam alone.

Assam produces a hefty 480 to 490 million kilograms of tea annually.

Besides, it also produces one of the finest and most expensive teas in the world.

The state has varieties of tea and also has the Chinese tea variety known as 'Camellia Sinensis'.

Interestingly, the state is the only region in the world that has its own variety of tea called 'Camellia Assamica'.

The other categories of tea are available in the state are said to be Darjeeling and Taiwanese teas.

Assam is undoubtedly famous for the tea and contributes the substantial tea in the global market.

However, there are several sick tea gardens in the state that have remained unused and need revival for making them economical.

Therefore, adequate funds and financial assistance are required for utilizing such sick tea gardens.

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