Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 13
The Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) announced that it will be filing a series of Right to Information (RTI) applications in public interest. The DUCCF President, Zasivikho Zakiesato made the announcement at a press conference in Dimapur on January 13, where he told that the decision was taken at a general meeting held the same day.
The RTIs will be targeted at three entities— Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), Urban Development (UD) Department and Department of Youth Resources and Sports (Youth Resources).
“It is learnt that the DMC has excess employees and struggling to pay their salaries, besides struggling to pay for fuel for its sanitation trucks,” said Zakiesato, while stating that the intention is to find out the reasons.
The DMC reportedly has 429 employees under its payroll against a sanctioned strength of 260 posts. As on September 2022, salaries accounted for over Rs 90 lakhs a month, out of a monthly expenditure tipped at around Rs 1.2cr.
There is a perceived public sentiment in Dimapur, one which imagines the present state government as apathetic to the needs of the city, and as a result of which the city is held to be falling back as far as infrastructure development is concerned.
While this was not expressed at the press conference, the DUCCF said that it will seek information from the Urban Development Department. “We will be seeking information from the Urban Development Department with regard to developmental works undertaken in Dimapur over the past 2 years, and development projects that are scheduled or proposed to be implemented in the city,” said Zakiesato.
The Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex, erstwhile known as the State Stadium, is also in the list. He added that a committee has been set up to find out the truth about the long unfinished Multi Disciplinary State Stadium through the RTI Act. He maintained that the DUCCF was taking the initiative for the welfare and future of Dimapur.
The plan to develop the sports complex was rolled out in 2003-04 soon after the Neiphiu Rio-led DAN-I assumed power. Construction began in 2005, and some 20 years later, it remains incomplete.
DTO Dimapur
In addition, the DUCCF highlighted the need for a separate District Transport Office (DTO) for Dimapur. It demanded that the DTO for the erstwhile Dimapur district, which is now operating out of Chümoukedima, be relocated to Dimapur.
Old Overbridge
The DUCCF held that the shutting of the old overbridge for an extended period is taking a negative impact on business in Dimapur. It urged the authorities to expedite the reopening of the old overbridge. The road overpass was shut off to traffic for repairs beginning October 1, 2024 for a period of 3 months. After the lapse of more than 100 days, it remains shut off.
Multiple NPGs tax
The DUCCF pointed out the adverse effect the multiple taxations by several Naga Political Groups has had on market prices in Dimapur, with the consumers/public ultimately taking the burden. In order to tackle this, it said that the civil society organisations must work towards finding a solution.
DMC Sanitation fee
Back in December 2024, the DMC had notified the enhancement of sanitation tax, officially known as Residential Sanitation Fee, to Rs 100 per household from the prevailing Rs 60. The DMC allegedly enhanced the fee without waiting for consensus.
According to the DUCCF President, Zakiesato, there was a meeting between the DMC and DUCCF in November 2024, where the DMC proposed enhancing the fee. At the meeting Zakiesato said that the DUCCF told the DMC that they would have to first discuss it and get back.
“There seems to have been a miscommunication as a result of which the enhancement of the fee was notified without consent,” said Zakiesato. At the meeting today, he said that the house resolved that the sanitation fee will remain at Rs 60.
