S Richard Humtsoe*
I wish to place on record a firm and unequivocal advisory regarding the implementation of non-statutory schemes in Nagaland, which, despite not having statutory backing, directly impact public trust, equity, and grassroots development.
Non-statutory schemes must never be treated as discretionary, informal, or secondary. They are public welfare interventions financed by public resources and therefore demand the same level of discipline, transparency, and accountability as statutory programmes. Any perception that such schemes can be implemented casually, selectively, or without scrutiny undermines governance and erodes citizens’ confidence in the State.
I strongly advise that political influence, favoritism, clan considerations, or personal discretion must have no role whatsoever in beneficiary selection or fund allocation. Implementation must be rule-based, evidence-driven, and publicly verifiable, with clearly defined eligibility criteria and documented decision-making processes at every level.
Given Nagaland’s unique social structure, Village Councils, Tribal Hohos, Urban Local Bodies, Church bodies, and civil society organizations must be meaningfully involved—not merely consulted—to ensure that schemes reflect genuine local needs. However, such involvement must be accompanied by clear accountability mechanisms, so that community participation strengthens governance rather than diluting responsibility.
I emphasize the urgent need for:
Time-bound implementation plans with measurable outcomes
Mandatory disclosure of scheme guidelines, beneficiary lists, and fund utilization at district and village levels
Robust monitoring, including physical verification, geo-tagging, and periodic third-party or social audits
Functional grievance redressal systems that are accessible, responsive, and free from intimidation
Capacity gaps among implementing officials and agencies must be addressed immediately through structured training and performance reviews. Lack of capacity can no longer be accepted as a justification for delays, poor quality, or misuse of funds.
Most importantly, I caution that non-statutory does not mean non-accountable. Any misuse of funds, manipulation of beneficiary lists, intentional delays, or failure to achieve intended outcomes must attract strict administrative and disciplinary action, irrespective of position or influence.
As a Government of India nominated Non Official Member of the State Level DISHA Committee, I urge all departments, district administrations, and implementing agencies to treat this advisory as a call for governance reform, ethical conduct, and results-oriented administration. The people of Nagaland deserve development that is fair, transparent, and impactful, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that every non-statutory scheme contributes meaningfully to that goal.
The author is Government of India’s nominated Member, State Level DISHA Committee for Nagaland, Union Ministry of Rural Development.
