Officials along with the participants during the Pughoboto SDPDB meeting held at the ADC Office in Pughoboto on April 7.
Pughoboto, April 8 (MExN): The monthly meeting of the Pughoboto Sub-Divisional Planning and Development Board (SDPDB) was held on April 7 at the ADC Office, with MLA and SDPDB Chairman Dr Sukhato A Sema presiding and Vice Chairman and ADC Meyazungba Jamir co-chairing the session.
A key highlight of the meeting was a presentation on the convergence programme conducted from March 30 to April 2 under the aegis of SDPDB Pughoboto. SDO (Civil) Yithachu Thur informed that departments including Agriculture, Rural Development, Horticulture, Health & Family Welfare, Soil & Water Conservation and Social Welfare collaborated to ensure last-mile delivery of services, improve inter-departmental coordination and enhance access to government schemes.
The Agriculture Department focused on capacity building for natural and organic farmers, farmer producer organisations (FPOs) and self-help groups (SHGs), including a farmer–scientist interaction with experts from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Zunheboto. Demonstrations on maintenance and repair of farm machinery were also conducted, while the Horticulture Department organised training sessions such as oyster mushroom cultivation.
Rural Development undertook updating and verification of the MGNREGA job card database. Health & Family Welfare services included OPD care, screening for non-communicable diseases and anaemia, and registration under Ayushman Bharat CMHIS. The Social Welfare Department facilitated Aadhaar enrolment and biometric updates, while the district administration issued essential documents including PRC, Indigenous Certificates and ST certificates.
The programme recorded achievements such as delivery of multi-departmental services on a single platform, increased public participation, improved awareness of schemes and stronger coordination among departments. However, challenges including incomplete documentation, poor internet connectivity, power disruptions, logistical constraints and lack of dedicated funding were also highlighted.
The board proposed expanding future initiatives to include departments such as Food & Civil Supplies, PHED, Power, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, Industry & Commerce, Forestry and banking services.
SDAO Michael Kitoho Swu presented a report on an exposure visit to the Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH), Nagaland University’s School of Agricultural Sciences and ICAR, Medziphema, on March 20. The visit underscored the need to address seasonal limitations in agricultural activities in Pughoboto, currently confined to April–October.
Plans for an Integrated Farming System (IFS) model demonstration farm were discussed to promote year-round land use, increase cropping intensity and enhance farmers’ income. Proposals for collaboration in training, research extension and establishment of a substation in Pughoboto received support from the board.
SDO PHED Er Yekiho Sumi also presented updates on the Jal Jeevan Mission, aimed at providing functional household tap connections to all rural households by 2028. Issues raised included timely release of funds, sustainability of water sources, low user fee collection for maintenance and the need for social audits. PHED also reiterated its role in implementing the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) to achieve ODF Plus status.
