The first consultative meeting on the Capacity Building of Village Level Functionaries (VLFs) was held on August 28 at the Administrative Training Institute (ATI), Nagaland, Kohima.
Seven representatives, comprising Village Council Chairmen, VDB Secretaries and representatives of other village-level authorities from seven districts—Tuensang, Peren, Phek, Wokha, Tseminyu, Chümoukedima and Kohima participated in the program.
Officials from various departments, including Home, Commissioner’s Office, P&AR Department, Nagaland; Census; Election; Police; Social Welfare; Women Resource Development; Finance; Treasuries; Education; Health & Family Welfare; Power; PHED; PWD; Water Resources; Planning & Transformation; Soil & Water Conservation; Rural Development; Agriculture; Horticulture; Fisheries; Land Resources; and Environment, Forests & Climate Change, participated as Resource members for the program.
The inaugural programme was addressed by V Shashank Shekhar, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary and Director General, ATI, who stated that government schemes and programmes are introduced for the benefit and welfare of the people. He highlighted that, with a significant proportion of Nagaland’s population residing in villages, Village Level Functionaries have an important role in ensuring that government schemes and programmes reach the intended beneficiaries.
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He also emphasised their role in disseminating information and facilitating coordination between the government and the villagers. He also stated that traditions and culture are sustained and strengthened in the villages.
He encouraged the participants to actively contribute their suggestions and make effective use of the feedback and discussion sessions to identify practical issues and improve the delivery of government programmes at the village level.
The inaugural session was chaired by Asalie Lese, NCS, Deputy Secretary, P&AR Department. An overview of the VLF Capacity Building Training Programme was presented by Bendanglila, NCS Additional Director, ATI. Dr Hovithal Sothu, Deputy Director. ATI conducted some sessions including transparency and ethics.
During the meeting, representatives from various departments made presentations on the schemes and programmes implemented by their respective departments. The participants also raised queries and shared feedback during the panel discussions, particularly on issues relating to the dissemination and implementation of government schemes and services at the village level.
The lively discussions and interactions were found useful by all stakeholders.
