MP Lok Sabha and Chairperson of DISHA Committee Niuland Supongmeren Jamir during the meeting held at DCs conference hall, Niuland on July 16. (DIPR Photo)
Chümoukedima, July 16 (MExN): District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) Chümoukedima convened a meeting at the DC Office’s conference hall, Chümoukedima on July 16.
MP, Lok Sabha, S Supongmeren Jamir, in his address said, “Forming a District Committee alone won’t help, until and unless we all put our heads together, find out whatever problem the head of the officers is facing.”
As the head of the department in the district, he explained that their authority is limited, as they must follow directives from the directorates, stated a DIPR report. However, this meeting is the right platform to discuss on how to execute the purpose for the activities of the government. They can address challenges faced when leading projects and propose positive suggestions for steady implementation of the project or what are the problem facing at the grassroots or ground level.
Jamir highlighted the issue of fund flow from the ministry, stating that if there are any kind of problem in accessing funds, the “committee can recommend to the DISHA Committee, as well as whatever is possible for the subject matter, he can put forward to the ministry for recommendation.”
He stated that, on the part of non-officials, like him, is to co-operate and assist between the grassroots and the head of the department.
He stated that the ministry has issued directives emphasizing that only “genuine and eligible candidates,” as per departmental guidelines, should be selected for projects. Failure to adhere to this will make the selection process subject to review. Additionally, if implementation fails to reach the grassroots level as intended, “there will also be a subject for review of implementation and diversion of funds.” He further noted that these measures will be initiated by non-official members.
He informed that to address these issues, the Ministry has set a 30-day deadline to ensure proper resolution, with non-official members taking active steps for implementation. He stressed the need for prompt cooperation and emphasized that it will be the duty of the non-official members to carry it down to the grassroots levels.
Additionally, he suggested that the committee, as per new guidelines, should nominate 2-3 village council chairmen on a rotational basis, rather than appointing permanent members, to ensure fair representation. This approach would allow different chairmen to share their concerns and stay informed about ongoing projects, thereby improving awareness across the district.
He further suggested that non-official members could engage with some NGOs, while the District Administration can be covered by the newly formed Town Councils. This would enable them to highlight “their problems at the State level as well as the District planning board.” He mentioned that a committee has jurisdiction to discuss and if they find out any positive implementation projects or activities, it can be put forward to the district planning board, and the remaining can be put forward to the State level DISHA committee.
He informed that there are 97 centrally sponsored schemes under DISHA. “This committee is not an RTI to accuse each other, but it’s a committee to bring a positive solution and see that all the projects are completed on time,” he asserted.
DC Chümoukedima, Polan John, NCS, said that the committee has to facilitate, coordinate and do convergence between the various departments and it has to address issues of implementation, remove the bottle necks and try to leverage various schemes to bring about transformation in the district, while deliberating or examining the issues, if any issues which is to be taken up at the parliamentary level or at the State Assembly.
All members of the committee presented the status of various Government Programmes implemented in their respective Departments. The following departments also presented PowerPoint presentation - Rural Development, Industries & Commerce, PHED, LDM, Chümoukedima and District Agriculture Office.
Niuland: Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, Supongmeren, held a consultative meeting with the Niuland district DISHA members at the DC conference hall, Niuland on July 16.
In his address, Supongmeren said the purpose of the meeting is to create awareness and facilitate communication between the district officials and the grassroots people in regards to government schemes that are being implemented in the district, stated a DIPR report.
The MP, while calling out the GBs and Village Council Members, said that we are all here today to hear from you how the Schemes and projects are being implemented at the grassroots level, to address the problems & challenges and the response of the beneficiaries. He also said such a meeting is to make sure that no funds are being diverted and the projects are being completed on time.
Supongmeren also had a thorough discussion with 6 department officials, i.e., Rural Development, Urban Development, Agriculture, Industries & Commerce, Lead Bank Manager and PHED in the course of their departmental presentations.
DC Niuland Sara S Jamir, while delivering the welcome address, said Niuland, being the newly created district with the majority of rural population, needs handholding to stay at par with the other developed districts in the state.
She also stated that geographically, Niuland being bordering the state of Assam and the districts of Dimapur, Tseminyu, Kohima, Chümoukedima and Wokha, has great potential to become an economic & communication hub in the state and said the people of the district are optimistic that the MP visit will facilitate overall development in the district.
