KIPHIRE/DIMAPUR, APRIL 5 (MExN): After the Niti Aayog ranked Kiphire as one of the most “backward” districts in the country recently, a meeting was held to discuss this assessment at the Kiphire Deputy Commissioner’s office on April 5.
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Human Resources, Sanjay Kumar, who is also the Prabhari Officer for the ‘Backward’ District Kiphire Programme, informed that 15 parameters were taken into account before declaring Kiphire as one of the most backward districts. He informed that this programme is the biggest and most ambitious for rapid development of the country. Kumar however clarified that the programme is by no means a substitute for schemes already in existence.
The whole idea here, he informed, is to focus on identified areas, and called for better integration and convergence of various schemes to bring about rapid development.
Kumar further informed that schemes would be monitored on a monthly basis, while adding that the Backward District Programme is the only project, which the Prime Minister would be leading personally. Kumar assured that if need be he would come every month so that tangible things can be worked out.
Nagaland Minister for Soil and Water Conservation and DPDB Chairman for Kiphire, V Kashiho Sangtam meanwhile lamented that Kiphire is far behind the rest of the other districts in Nagaland. He therefore asked the departmental heads to prepare a blueprint for developmental activities in the district at an urgent pace.
He stressed that developing the district would only be possible through a united effort by all the stakeholders. “Development is a joint venture therefore all stakeholders should extend help,” he stated.
Expressing optimism that efforts to develop the district would succeed, the Minister encouraged officers not to focus on development only in particular areas but to give priority to areas that have remained untouched.
Several departments made presentations during the meeting to highlight key issues in their sectors. The departments included Medical, School Education, PWD, District Agriculture Office, DRDA and Horticulture.
Representatives of the United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP), Yimchunger Tribal Council (YTC), Eastern Sumi Hoho (ESH) and United Sangtam Students’ Conference (USSC) also attended the meeting.
The United Sangtam Students' Conference (USSC) submitted a representation to the Joint Secretary and highlighted some issues pertaining to the district.
It asked that a committee/commission be set up for the 'Aspirational’ district developmental fund with the DC as the Chairman of the said commission. It further suggested that all frontal organizations of the district should be members of the commission, which would be responsible for handling the transactions and accountability of the ‘Aspirational District Fund.’
The fund, it added, should be directly transferred by the MHRD to the ‘Aspirational District Commission,’ and that the state government should not be the exchequer.
With regard to the development sector, the USSC called for construction of proper roads within the district hq; pucca roads to link from the district hq to all the villages; and construction of bridges. It further suggested new farming policies and incentives for farmers; and specific training based on traditional practices to be improved with modern technology towards reducing jhum cultivation so as to reduce global warming.
The USSC also called for efforts to eradicate anti-social elements and upliftment of youths through sports centers and recreational institutions. Further it focused on upgradation of high schools to higher secondary levels and setting up of a university in the district.
The Yimchunger Tribal Council (YTC), United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP) and Eastern Sumi Hoho (ESH) meanwhile in their joint representation to the Joint Secretary pointed out several factors which they said were responsible for the lack of development in the district.
These, according to the representation include the lack of road connectivity from district HQs to towns and villages; lack of drinking water facility in the administrative hq, towns and villages; lack of electrification in many villages; lack of hospitals, dispensaries, medical equipments and sufficient health care workers; lack of medical colleges and other allied educational institutions to facilitate human resource development; lack of communication facilities; and lack of employment avenues.
The three organizations appealed to the Joint Secretary to appoint one representative each from the USLP, YTC and ESH to assist the central, state and district teams in finding physical and feasible developmental areas.
“We honestly believe that the tribal Hohos shall be taken into confidence for healthy implementation of the projected programme of the scheme and for the greater benefit of the district's people while impressing the Prime Minister’s Vision of a new India by 2022,” they stated, while assuring cooperation for implementation of the scheme.
