Zunheboto DPDB meet focuses on Vision 2047 roadmap

Morung Express News
Zunheboto | July 16 

The Zunheboto District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) on Wednesday held its July meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall, with a focus on charting a long-term development roadmap under the theme "Viksit Zunheboto 2047."

The meeting was chaired by S Toiho Yepthomi, Deputy Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and Chairman of DPDB Zunheboto, along with Deputy Commissioner Dharam Raj.

The session began with the introduction of new board members, followed by a PowerPoint presentation on “Viksit Zunheboto 2047” by DC Dharam Raj. He emphasised that achieving the national vision of a developed India and Nagaland requires comprehensive development of Zunheboto district.

Chairman Toiho expressed concern over the state of higher education in the district, highlighting that Zunheboto has only one college compared to multiple institutions in districts like Mokokchung. He strongly advocated for upgrading the district college to an integrated BA programme and introducing a science stream, while noting that the launch of a B.Sc. course may take time due to a lack of feeder schools.

During his detailed presentation, DC Dharam Raj outlined key national initiatives such as Make in India, GST, Swachh Bharat, Jal Jeevan Mission, Skill India, and Start-Up India, while highlighting challenges related to land acquisition, ownership, and government employment practices. He proposed regular staff training, promotion of rooftop solar systems, rainwater harvesting, and automation of street lighting and motor pumps.

In law enforcement, the DC suggested AI training for personnel to combat cybercrime and pointed out the absence of sniffer dogs and a mini forensic laboratory in the district. He stressed the need for employment generation, entrepreneurship, education, environmental sustainability, and good governance, remarking, “A Viksit Zunheboto requires a vision that is farsighted, decisions that are timely and effective, and actions that are collective.”

District Programme Manager of the National Health Mission (NHM), Rosemary Vitoli, presented details on the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS), informing the board that the district has generated Rs 94 lakh under the scheme, with Rs 11 lakh currently in hand, utilised for hospital renovations and staff salaries.

Chairman Toiho underscored the need for better utilisation of the district hospital’s 10-bedded ICU, calling for at least 50 per cent occupancy. Echoing the concern, Dr Sukhato A Sema, MLA of 13 AC Pughoboto, also highlighted healthcare gaps.

Expressing concern over the public’s trust deficit in government hospitals, Toiho remarked, “Many people, even when financially constrained, avoid government hospitals and prefer private ones due to lack of trust.” He urged the medical department to rebuild public confidence.

He commended Superintendent of Police Dr Kupe Kupfo for recent seizures related to drugs, arms, vehicles, and alcohol but flagged reports of alcohol being sold openly in paan shops. He called for reactivating the concerned committee to address the issue.

Advisor for Food and Civil Supplies, Legal Metrology and Consumer Protection, K Tokugha Sukhalu, stressed the importance of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nagaland while citing the report recently published in The Morung Express on July 11, pointing to the state’s low performance in this regard. He raised concerns about the quality of education in Zunheboto, noting the absence of district students in the NBSE toppers’ list.

Sukhalu issued a warning to government staff against absenteeism, stating he would conduct surprise inspections and report defaulters to the state government. “Zunheboto has been long neglected,” he said.

The meeting concluded with a note that the next DPDB session will feature a presentation by the District Labour Office.