Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio on Friday urged Deputy Commissioners to go beyond conventional administrative roles and emerge as “drivers of transformation”, advocating a governance model rooted in outcomes, accountability and tangible impact on people’s lives.
Addressing the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference 2006, which began at the Civil Secretariat in Kohima, Rio said that the conference was timely to reflect on both the traditional and emerging responsibilities of Deputy Commissioners in an increasingly dynamic governance landscape. However, he noted that core functioning such maintaining law and order, revenue administration, conduct of elections, census operations and supervision of local governance systems continue to remain fundamental and non-negotiable.
He said the role of Deputy Commissioners has expanded significantly in recent years to include effective implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes, disaster management, grievance redressal and coordination among multiple departments.
He pointed out that the position has evolved from being primarily regulatory to becoming facilitative and development oriented, with a strong focus on ensuring last mile delivery of welfare programmes.
Emphasizing the changing nature of governance, Rio said it is now more citizen centric, technology driven and outcome oriented, placing DCs at the forefront of service delivery. He stressed the need for maintaining a balance between ensuring law and order and promoting development administration, stating that both are equally important for effective governance.
Highlighting the role of DCs at the district level, he said they lead various committees and coordination platforms, ensure convergence across departments, and act as a vital link between the government and the people, making governance more responsive and inclusive.
The Chief Minister also underscored the State Government’s commitment to transparency and meritocracy, citing the establishment of the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) to ensure fair recruitment for Group-C posts. He further highlighted initiatives such as the Chief Minister’s Micro Finance initiative as part of broader structural reforms aimed at improving livelihoods and promoting inclusive growth.
On Skilling and Workforce development, Rio stated that the Nagaland Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Mission has evolved into a demand driven and outcome oriented system aligned with key sectors such as construction, hospitality, transport, and IT enabled services.
Emphasizing employment linkage, Rio said skilling initiatives are now closely tied to placements through job fairs and strategic partnerships. As of February 2026, over 73,000 applicants are registered on the Live Register, and efforts are ongoing to increase participation in placement linked programmes such as the Nagaland Japan Connect 2026 and the State wide Mega Job Fair, he mentioned.
Highlighting global opportunities, he noted that more than 450 youth have registered under the Nagaland Japan Connect 2026 initiative, with 65 candidates already receiving recruitment intent across sectors including agriculture, manufacturing and shipping.
Rio reiterated the government’s commitment to transform human resources into an economic strength by ensuring that trained youth gain meaningful employment, both within and outside the State. He added that convergence between departments, training partners, and financial institutions is strengthening the linkage between skilling, entrepreneurship, and credit support under initiatives such as the CM’s Micro Finance Initiative.
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On the health sector, Dr. Rio pointed out that 83 Medical Officers and Junior Specialists were appointed during the COVID-19 period and are currently serving. However, he expressed concern over the low response to recruitment drives, noting that out of 1,553 registered doctors under the Nagaland Medical Council, only 193 had applied during the COVID recruitment, highlighting a gap between available manpower and participation in public service.
On the financial front, the Chief Minister expressed concern over the State’s fiscal position following the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission. He highlighted a decline in Nagaland’s share of central taxes and the absence of Revenue Deficit Grants for the 2026–31 period, which together pose significant challenges.
He stated that the State remains heavily dependent on central transfers, which constitute a major portion of its revenue, while existing receipts are insufficient to meet routine expenditures such as salaries, pensions, and other obligations. Warning of rising deficits and potential debt burden, Rio stressed the need for structural reforms.
He further informed that the State Government will undertake revenue augmentation and austerity measures to ensure fiscal stability and long term sustainability.
Highlighting on Tribal Councils and the implementation of the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) Rio underscored that Tribal Councils form an integral part of Nagaland’s governance framework, rooted in the provisions of the 16-Point Agreement. He noted that alongside Village Councils, these traditional institutions play a vital role in local self-governance, dispute resolution, and preservation of customary laws and practices.
He stated that while Village Councils function at the grassroots level, Tribal Councils represent the collective interests of tribes and assist the State Government in maintaining law and order, promoting harmony, and facilitating settlement of disputes. Emphasizing their importance, Rio urged Deputy Commissioners to actively engage with these bodies and seek their cooperation for informed and inclusive decision making.
On RIIN, the Chief Minister informed that the State Government has issued fresh notifications in September 2024 laying down clear criteria for the issuance of Indigenous Inhabitant Certificates (IIC). He said the initiative aims to safeguard the rights and privileges of indigenous inhabitants while ensuring transparency and clarity in the process.
Highlighting the role of traditional institutions in the RIIN process, Rio noted that Village Councils have been entrusted with the responsibility of verifying indigeneity through Village Verification Committees. These committees are tasked with validating applicants’ ancestry and linkage to recognized villages in Nagaland, he added.
Rio reiterated that traditional governance systems remain central to administration in the State and called on Deputy Commissioners to work closely with Village and Tribal Councils to ensure effective implementation of policies in the interest of the people.
Chief Minister outlined the detailed process under the RIIN framework, stating that applicants must provide ancestral details, including paternal lineage up to the great grandfather along with village identification. In cases of adoption, relevant disclosures are also mandatory.
He informed that applications, after verification and attestation by the Village Verification Committee, are submitted to the area Administrative Officer for further scrutiny. Following this, the applications are forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner with recommendations within a stipulated timeframe.
Rio stressed that Deputy Commissioner s must mandatorily examine all applications at their level and issue IICs only after thorough verification and clear satisfaction. He added that additional verification should be carried out wherever necessary to ensure authenticity.
Urging accountability, Rio called upon all Deputy Commissioner s and district administrations to work closely with Village Councils to safeguard the interests of indigenous inhabitants, ensuring that only genuine beneficiaries are granted Indigenous Inhabitant Certificates.
Highlighting on Census exercise Rio stressed on the critical importance of accuracy and integrity in the upcoming Census exercise. Rio noted that the Census is not merely a headcount but a vital foundation for governance, planning, and development, providing crucial data on population, education, employment, and living conditions. He emphasized that inaccurate or inflated data can severely distort policy decisions and undermine effective governance.
Highlighting on the upcoming Census-2027, Rio informed that it will be India’s first fully digital census, incorporating mobile-based data collection and self-enumeration. In Nagaland, the exercise will be conducted in two phases—Houselisting from July 1 to 30, 2026, and Population Enumeration in early 2027.
Expressing concern over past inconsistencies, he pointed to abnormal population trends recorded in earlier censuses, which have affected planning and resource allocation. He cited the example of the education sector, where discrepancies in data have contributed to an imbalance in teacher deployment, with the State currently recording a significantly low pupil-teacher ratio compared to the national average.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the constitutional significance of Census data, noting its role in determining representation under Article 332 of the Constitution. Urging accountability, Rio called on all DC’s, as Principal Census Officers, to ensure a transparent, accurate, and credible Census exercise, stressing that reliable data is essential for inclusive development and effective governance.
Rio also touched upon several important governance issues including matters relating to non-Naga tribes, the Inner Line Permit (ILP), the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), and the proposed Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).
In his opening remarks, Chief Secretary, Sentiyanger Imchen, IAS stated that meetings of Deputy Commissioners are held regularly under the aegis of the Commissioner, Nagaland, primarily focusing on district administration and law and order. However, he added in view of the upcoming Census operations, it was decided to convene an extended two day conference to deliberate on broader governance and developmental issues.
Highlighting the evolving role of Deputy Commissioners, Imchen noted that their responsibilities now go beyond traditional functions such as law and order, elections, and census, to include leadership in implementing various Centrally Sponsored Schemes and key state initiatives at the district level.
He also pointed out that Deputy Commissioner serve as chairpersons of important programmes like the Chief Minister’s Micro Finance Initiative and the Nagaland Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Mission. Additional Deputy Commissioners, who function as Chief Executive Officers of Urban Local Bodies, have also been included in the conference, particularly to address pressing issues such as solid waste management.
Imchen emphasized that the conference aims to sensitise Deputy Commissioner s on key governance issues while also providing a platform to incorporate field-level insights into policy decisions. He added that the latter half of the second day will be dedicated to Census-related discussions.
The Chief Secretary expressed confidence that the conference would strengthen coordination between district administrations and departments, improve service delivery, and ensure the successful conduct of the upcoming Census operations.
Commissioner Nagaland, Gregory Thejawelie, IAS pronounced the vote of thank during the inaugural program. Deputy Chief Minister, Yanthungo Patton, AHoDs, DCs, ADCs, officials attend the conference.
The conference featured a series of briefings and discussions on important subjects. These included the National Green Tribunal case (OA 606/2018), Solid Waste Management Rules 2026 in line with the Swachh Bharat Mission, and amendments to Chapter IVA on Customary Courts under the Rules for Administration of Justice and Police in Nagaland (Fifth Amendment) Act, 2025.
The afternoon sessions covered key developmental and administrative topics such as skilling initiatives, the Chief Minister’s Micro Finance Initiative (CMMFI), and issues related to land acquisition under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act (RFCTLARR) along with the National Highways Act, 1956.
The second day of the conference discussions would be held on the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) and Inner Line Permit (ILP), along with deliberations on border affairs. The programme will also include a session on “Viksit Nagaland for Viksit Bharat 2047,” focusing on long-term development goals. Deputy Commissioners will further deliberate on their role in the effective implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), emphasizing improved coordination and delivery at the district level. The day will conclude with a State-Level Conference on Census of India 2027, highlighting preparations and responsibilities for the upcoming national exercise.
