Dimapur: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio told the state Assembly on Tuesday that the vacant posts of 249 primary teachers and 66 graduate teachers will be filled up through the Department Selection Board according to Rule 6 B of the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education Service Rules, 2017.

He said there are 9,155 primary teachers and 3,361 graduate teachers under the state.

Replying to a starred question by Opposition Naga People's Front (NPF) MLA Yitachu on the appointments made under the school education department on the first day of the two-day session, Rio said three graduate teachers and 40 primary teachers were appointed since March 2018 on ad hoc basis and on compassionate grounds.

NPF legislator Imkong L. Imchen said while the performance of the private and government school teachers cannot be compared, the salary component is very different and their work load per teacher is also very different. He said the issue needs government attention.

The chief minister said: "The teaching profession is honourable. The outcome should also be honourable and should commensurate."

He said the proxy teachers, ghost teachers and all kind of teachers who are not attending classes but drawing their pay should be suspended.

Leader of Opposition T.R. Zeliang and Kuzholuzo Nienu, MLA, said advisers should be fully empowered to function and to answer in the House.

The chief minister replied: "We have made consultations regarding it. The minister in-charge will reply after that any member can raise supplementary questions or reply including the advisers."

Replying to a question raised by MLA Nienu, minister of roads and bridges Tongpang said the total fund allocated to restore all the district headquarters roads was Rs 25 crore, with priority being given to major roads with a distance of 116.455km.

He said the department was taking up the work district wise. Asked if there was a masterplan to maintain all major roads, Tongpang said the department was in the process of bringing out a comprehensive road policy, which has already constituted the road maintenance task force.

Deputy chief minister Y. Patton, on the issue of influx of illegal immigrants, said the administration and police in the districts are making periodic checks.

Patton, who also holds the home portfolio, said the state government in the past years had set up committees to suggest means to improve the inner-line permit system and had sent a team to neighbouring states to study the ILP system where it is implemented.