Kohima, February 27 (MExN): Member of Parliament from Nagaland, S Supongmeren Jamir, has taken up multiple issues concerning digital connectivity, communication infrastructure and manpower shortages in the State with the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
In a press statement, the MP highlighted the status of Optical Fibre Connectivity (OFC) in the NE-11 Circle, stating that while 39 District Headquarters (DHQs) are connected through OFC or hired links, 28 DHQs still remain without OFC connectivity. He stated that there is an urgent requirement for OFC across District Headquarters and Block Headquarters in the region.
On Block Headquarters (BHQs), he noted that out of 313 BHQs in the NE-11 Circle, only 72 have OFC or hired connectivity, while 241 BHQs continue to face serious connectivity gaps.
Stressing the importance of digital infrastructure, Jamir said, “digital connectivity is essential for governance, education, telemedicine, and economic growth in the Northeast, especially in remote regions.”
The MP also requested a special recruitment drive for Junior Telecom Officers (JTOs), noting that against 25 sanctioned posts, only 18 are in position, leaving 7 vacant. The statement said the shortage of technical staff is directly affecting telecom maintenance and expansion works.
He further urged the department to “approve the establishment of a Sub-Division Post Office at Tuensang, sanction construction of the new Head Post Office building at Kohima, and tTake up construction of small post office buildings at Mangkolomba and Pungro, where land has already been allotted by the State Government.” He also called to “establish a Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) at the State capital to improve citizen services.”
In addition, the MP proposed modernization of the State Data Centre into an AI-powered State Data Centre (NSDC 2.0) and introduction of Naga Chain Blockchain-based service delivery systems to strengthen transparent and efficient governance.
He also reported serious manpower shortages in Doordarshan Kendra Kohima and All India Radio Nagaland.
At Doordarshan Kendra Kohima, out of 144 sanctioned posts, only 55 are in position, leaving 89 vacant.
In All India Radio Nagaland, the Programme Section has 74 sanctioned posts with 14 in position and 60 vacant. In the Administration Section, 90 posts are sanctioned, 34 are in position and 56 are vacant. Among Engineering staff, 91 posts are sanctioned, 41 are in position and 50 are vacant. Overall, out of 255 sanctioned posts in AIR Nagaland, only 88 are in position, leaving 167 vacant.
The MP said that “such large-scale vacancies are severely affecting broadcasting quality and outreach in the state.”
He urged the concerned ministries to take time-bound action to strengthen OFC connectivity across DHQs and BHQs, fill technical and broadcasting vacancies, and upgrade digital and postal infrastructure to ensure that the people of Nagaland are not left behind in the national digital growth framework. He reiterated that equitable infrastructure development in the Northeast is essential for inclusive national progress.
