The District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) of Chümoukedima has recommended the upgradation of two government schools and a Health and Wellness Centre, while also urging improved road connectivity, sanitation and public service delivery in the district.
The recommendations were made during the DPDB meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall on October 12 under the chairmanship of Advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs and DPDB chairman, Zhaleo Rio. Advisor for Industries and Commerce Hekani Jakhalu also attended the meeting.
According to a DIPR update, the board recommended upgrading Government High School, Dhansiripar, to a Higher Secondary School, with an emphasis on ensuring adequate provision of teachers. It also recommended upgrading Government Middle School, Seitheke Basa, to a Government High School.
The upgradation of the Health and Wellness Centre at Sovima to a Primary Health Centre was also recommended.
Addressing the meeting, Zhaleo welcomed the newly posted officers to the district and observed that Chümoukedima, being a relatively new district, offered considerable opportunities as well as challenges. He urged the officers to work collectively for the district’s development and public welfare.
He informed the board that the upgradation of the DC’s Conference Hall would be taken up by December. He also stressed the need for proper maintenance of roads in urban and rural areas, improved sanitation and better road connectivity, particularly between Chümoukedima and Kohima, in view of the upcoming Hornbill Festival.
On the issue of society registration raised by the Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO), Zhaleo said the board would consider the demands and share the organisation’s concerns. While discouraging the proliferation of societies and unions, he stressed that genuine organisations should not be victimised.
Teacher shortage, sericulture highlighted
Speaking on the proposed upgradation of schools, Hekani Jakhalu highlighted the need to address shortages and the uneven distribution of teachers in government schools.
Acknowledging the financial constraints faced by the government, she stressed that children should not suffer because of inadequate educational facilities. She urged officers to work collectively for the district’s progress and make additional efforts to improve public service delivery.
Jakhalu also highlighted Chümoukedima’s potential as a sericulture belt and called for stronger market linkages for locally produced goods.
She stressed that departmental intervention should extend beyond training to include capacity building and sustained engagement with farmers to help them bring their products to market.
Following scrutiny and deliberation, the board recommended the registration of the Old Boys Association of Sainik School, located at Ward-10, Chümoukedima.
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District name spelling, drainage proposals taken up
The board also discussed the correct spelling and official usage of the name Chümoukedima, an issue raised by the CPO. It decided to recommend to the government that the spelling be corrected and re-notified in official notifications, with the letter “ü” formally recognised to ensure the correct spelling of the district’s name.
The proposal for construction of a drainage system at Sovima village was also discussed, with the board deciding to recommend the matter to the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) for further action.
Deputy Commissioner, Chümoukedima, Polan John, NCS, reviewed the minutes of the previous meeting and informed the board that the estimate for widening the road and constructing a drainage system from NH-29 to the Chathe River at 7th Mile Model Village had been forwarded to PWD (Roads and Bridges) for further action.
He also briefed the members on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and the progress of its implementation.
The Deputy Commissioner further informed the meeting that the District Administration, in collaboration with the Department of Power, would organise a Seva Setu Camp from October 14 to 16 at the DC’s Office Complex to facilitate rooftop solar installations under the Prime Minister Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
The camp will assist eligible residential households through on-the-spot awareness, registration and application processing for rooftop solar installations.
Presentations were also made by District Tuberculosis Officer Dr Mlato Shikhu on the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and the TB Ni-kshay Mitra initiative. District Sericulture Officer Mayanjala Walling presented an overview of schemes implemented by the Sericulture Department.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks from the chair.
