‘VDB functionaries should strive for economic progress and self-sufficiency’
Sano Meru
August 10
KOHIMA (MExN): The Village Development Board (VDB) of the Kohima Rural Development Block today reached a milestone celebrating its Silver Jubilee at the Ura Academy Hall, Kohima. Former Block Development Officers (BDOs) and VDB secretaries, village elders and the public attended the celebration. Dr. Shurhozelie, Minister Planning & Coordination graced the occasion as Chief Guest.
Dr Shurhozelie in his speech recalled that before the concept of VDB was formed, development activities had taken a back seat with corruption pilfering away funds meant for village development. “Money disbursed for development of the village was being eaten up by a few unscrupulous elements in the towns who had direct access to such funds while the targeted villages neither received monetary benefit nor recognition”, Shurhozelie said. This the Minister continued led to the need for VDBs to be formed in order to take care of the defaulting system while allowing the villagers to have a greater say in the matter of development programs.
Shurhozelie while congratulating the achievements said that the concept of the VDB for decentralization of power and planning, empowering leaders at the grass root level was a noble venture. He however, pleaded with the villagers to take initiative in leadership on matters concerning the village, instead of waiting for the Government to take care of their problems. Shürhozelie, who is also Chairman of governing Body, DRDA, Kohima, urged the VDB functionaries to strive hard for economic progress and self-sufficiency.
Dr Shurhozelie, who also released a souvenir to commemorate the Silver Jubilee said that although Nagaland was a small State, it had become a role model for the entire country in paving the way for decentralization of powers through VDBs. It may be mentioned that the Planning Commission’s high level commission report to the Prime Minister for transforming the Northeast, headed by S.P Shukla, had applauded the achievements of the VDBs and recommended their replication in other States.
As per official record, there are about 157 VDBs in Kohima district while the total figure of Nagaland is 1053 with the total time deposits in banks amounting to about Rs 45 crores for the entire State.
It may be stated that the Village Development Scheme through the VDB in the villages was introduced into Nagaland’s rural development strategy during 1980-81 when the late Vamuzo was the Minister for Rural Development. A.M Gokhale IAS, a former Chief Secretary, Government of Nagaland, who was then Secretary, RD, Nagaland is considered to be the brain behind this novel concept of involving people in the development of their own villages.
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