Nagaland: Land acquired for building Kohima Medical College

Kohima: Despite having acquired 135 acres of land to set up Medical College at Kohima at the outset, only a 40 acre purchase at the cost of Rs. 17, 75,07, 809.has been made by the government.

When questioned about the status of the medical college at Kohima by MLA, Mmhonlumo Kikon, the Nagaland Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) Minister, P Longon, told the Assembly that the department purchased 40.251 acres of land through the district administration.

In a supplementary question on reduction of land size of the medical college from 135-150 acres to the present 40.251 acres , Dr. Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire, MLA, stated that the move would be narrowing the future scope of extension.

Replying to the reason behind the reduction, the leader of the house and Chief Minister, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu said the government was unable to accept the conditions spelled out by land owners. Dr. Nicky reminded the house that the government should take the necessary steps for purchase, before the price escalated any further.

Replying to another supplementary by Tokheho, MLA, on land owners who were yet to collect compensation and the possible predictable problems that may arise from their side , the Health Minister said the district administration was in negotiation and the matter would be resolved soon.

In reply to Kikon’s starred question, Longon disclosed the total cost of establishing a medical college under the scheme to be Rs.189 crore, in the ratio of 90:10, between central and state government.

He said that the centre has released Rs. 46, 50, cr till now; of which the department has already invested Rs. 21 crore for the administration block -- erstwhile district hospital Kohima. H&FW Minister further said that the state government has made institutional arrangement for development of the medical college with a project governing committee, headed by the Chief Minister; Project Steering Committee, headed by H&FW Minister; and Project Management Unit, headed by Principal Director H&FW.

In this regard, Longong informed that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the centre and the state government on March 20, 2014. He said on July 16, 2014 an NOC was obtained from the higher education for university affiliation reports the Nagaland Post.