Dimapur, May 13 (MExN): Mooting the idea of setting up an apex body comprising of village council chairmen from all districts in Nagaland, the Dimapur District Village Council Chairmen Union in its third general conference today stressed on the need to find one voice to address their grievances.
Drawing on the lack of response and appreciation from both the government and public for their works, the finance secretary of the union, N Kense, said that the government should recognise village councils. He said that a single voice cannot put across its grievances to the government and a stronger force is needed to draw attention to village councils. Kense also urged for unity among all village councils in order to tackle any situation in these volatile and changing times.
Village Council chairperson for Naharbari village, Tokheli Kikon, putting focus on the communitisation process of the state government, said that village councils must work hand in hand with the government to implement the various schemes that are routed through it. Kikon said the service to public is the priority of village councils.
Meanwhile, coming down on the failure of village councils in curbing illegal taxation across Dimapur, vice president of the Union, B Wati, lamented that despite the presence of village councils, such taxation continues unabated. “It shows we haven’t done our work,” Wati said. He reminded the village council chairmen present at the meeting of their responsibilities and added that they have to keep a check on all illegal activities around Dimapur. Wati also supported the idea of an apex body saying that it would generate more funds and work for development on a larger scale.
Fifty eight village council chairmen participated in the general meeting. The meeting was also attended by a representative from the district administration. The Dimapur district VCC Union was set up with a hope to foster respect, unity and cordial relationship among all villages in the district. Apart from extending help to each other in times of need, the Union also upholds the Nagaland Village Council Act and safeguards the customary law and its usages.
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