Nagaland a pioneer in community development, boasts Chief Minister

Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 9  

Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang today said that Nagaland has been a pioneer in community development in the country.  

“The concept of involving grassroot level functionaries in the process of development activities at the village level was for the first time institutionalized through the setting up of the Village Development Boards (VDBs) way back in 1976,” he said while addressing the Nagaland VDB Conference 2017 cum Mission Antyodaya Gram Samridhi Evam Swachchata Pakhwada here.  

He said there is an imperative need to properly document the success stories of projects taken up under various programmes to replicate the methods applied thereof “so that the projects can be taken up in large scale depending on the feasibility of the area.” This will strengthen the outcome of the programmes and help tap investment properly in a more meaningful way for sustainable development, he said.  

Zeliang meanwhile stated that importing labourers, builders and illegal immigrant is a dangerous trend in ruining Nagaland’s economy. The CM added that his government is emphasizing on skill development of women and youth in the state. The availability of skilled work force, he hoped would help generate micro enterprises in villages.  

“Through skill development, tangible changes can be brought about in the village economy. Lack of skilled work force has limited the scope of development in villages. This is the reason we have declared 2016 as year of construction workers,” he said.  

The CM meanwhile also reiterated the hurdles to road development in the state. “We want good road but we don’t want to part our land. We can’t build good road by ourselves as we don’t have resource. We have to depend on the centre and it is coming with a good number of central projects,” he said.  

The CM also called for equal importance and priority for all government programmes towards bringing about positive transformation and sustainable development of villages. It is imperative that all stakeholders of rural development are adequately trained through capacity building, he added.  

He also felt that VDBs should co-ordinate with YouthNet and Zynorique who are providing training in the district HQs. The VDBs should ensure that social audit is conducted at regular intervals in all the villages so as to bring about transparency and accountability in the implementation of various programmes, he said.  

“It is of utmost importance that the VDBs as a time tested institution must live up to the expectations of the people by effectively ensuring better delivery of services for the benefit of the rural masses,” he said.  

On the Food Security Act launched in July 2016 in the state, he openly announced “if any district is not getting their quota, lodge complain. I will take action on the erring officer.”  

The CM later handed over the best performing VDB award to 11 VDBs from all districts of Nagaland.  

The awards were given to the following VDBs—Angphang, Mon; Xukhepu, Zunheboto; Tenning, Peren; Tetheyo, Kiphire; Ruzaphema, Dimapur; Longjang, Mokokchung; Zapami, Phek; Kigwema, Kohima; Alajong, Longleng; Yali, Tuensang; and Wokha.