Morung Express News
Dimapur| February 23
Perhaps a first since the introduction of Local Area Development Programme (LADP) in Nagaland, 3 Dimapur-III Assembly Constituency has set an example of where LADP scheme should really go - to the grassroot people.
On Tuesday, rural folks of Dhansiripar and adjoining areas area comprising mainly of school students and housewives were gifted with 170 bicycles and 70 sewing machines, courtesy the LADP under the initiative of Nagaland minister for Public Health Engineering (PHE), Tokheho Yepthomi, who also represents Dimapur-III A/C.
In the second phase, an additional 230 cycles and 130 sewing machines would be distributed to needy families under Dimapur –III A/C in the month of March.
It may be mentioned that all 60 legislators of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly are allocated Rs. 1 crore each under LADP out of which Rs. 15 lakh each is deducted as “common pool.”
It also common practice that most of the elected representatives, especially MLAs, distribute the remaining LADP fund to party workers and supporters instead of utilizing it for genuine developmental activities. Addressing the first phase distribution programme of bicycles and sewing machines under LAPD here at village council hall, Dhansiripar, the PHE minister said the distribution was as per his 2013 assembly election promise that, if elected, he would spend every rupee of the LAPD fund for local development.
Tokheho said the remaining LADP fund is being invested in construction and repairing of roads and drainages in Purana Bazar, Kushiabill and adjoining areas. Stressing on education, the minister assured to look into upgradation of Dhansiripar, Singrijan and Kushiabill government high school to higher secondary.
The PHE minister also assured that Dhansiripar area and parts of Dimapur would get potable drinking water soon as a project to build a dam on the Khopanullah River is already on the pipeline.
SDO (C) Dhansiripar, Mhalo Humtsoe, who also addressed the distribution programme termed the initiative as practical as it identified the “right needs of the people”, most importantly “education and skill development.” Village council chairmen, GBs and elders of the constituency also testified that this is the first time in the history of the constituency that the LADP, formerly called local area development fund (LADF), has been utilized in a transparent manner.
