National
Nagaland CM presents Rs 1,630.67-crore deficit budget
Kohima, March 23 (IANS) Tabling a Rs 1630.67 crore deficit budget for 2018-19, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday announced setting up of a central monitoring mechanism to ensure successful implementation of the Government’s policies, programmes and projects in the state.
Presenting the first budget of the People’s Democratic Alliance government, Rio estimated total receipt at Rs 18,232.51 crore and total expenditure at Rs 18,305.40 crore for 2018-19.
“The main reason for the negative balance (deficit) is on account of the implementation of Revision of Pay 2017, which will have a huge additional burden besides the negative opening balance of Rs 1607.73 crore,” he explained.
Rio, who also holds the finance portfolio, proposed a development expenditure of Rs. 4552.36 crore out of which Central-sponsored Schemes (CSS) is projected at Rs 3,567.36 crore.
The Chief Minister informed the members of the assembly that the central government is likely to consider 100 per cent CSS funding in respect of hill states, particularly for the North-East.
He said the monitoring mechanism — Project Management Board — will ensure periodical monitoring of all schemes and projects for successful implementation and timely delivery.
Promising that the government will provide good governance, transparency and accountability in the administration and to remove VIP culture, the Chief Minister said that his government will also use modern information technology tools to improve governance and increase the adoption of e-governance at all levels.
To improve the overall quality of roads for a “Connected Nagaland”, Rio said the first priority of the government is to start the repair and maintenance of roads in the state capital and district headquarters within 60 days for which an amount of Rs. 50 crore has been provided.
“A total of Rs. 168.64 crore has been earmarked under Non-Development Plans for maintenance of existing government assets including roads. It will be ensured that this amount is judiciously distributed on the basis of actual requirements,” Rio announced.
The Chief Minister said the government is also committed to take definite steps to improve rail and air connectivity for the people of our state, which will have significant impact on Nagaland’s economic growth and developmental process.
Noting that rural development sector will be to transform and elevate the lives of all rural people with gainful employments, Rio said: “Implementation of MNREGA will ensure not only job creation but also creation of durable community assets. Rural employment will further be supplemented through skill development and Rural Livelihoods programmes by having convergence with schemes that promote arts and crafts as also animal husbandry, poultry and piggery.”
In order to attract investments from Private Sector and multilateral agencies in the state, Rio proposed to set up the institution of Nagaland Investment and Development Authority. It will aggressively pursue investment projects, infrastructure development and take up measures that contribute towards economic growth in a sustainable manner that is acquainted and adaptable to the situation.
He said the details of the Nagaland Investment and Development Authority and its structure will be announced soon.
Rio also proposed to introduce a new package of study tours and excursions that will take students on exposure trips to different parts of the country especially the National Capital Region.
“Every year 100 students will be sponsored to visit New Delhi and other cities to get real life experience of visiting places like the Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament house, Taj Mahal, etc., in separate batches,” he said.
–IANS
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National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.