The monthly meeting of the District Planning & Development Board (DPDB), Kohima was held on January 21 at the DPDB Conference Hall, Kohima under the Chairmanship of MLA and Chairman, DPDB Kohima, Kevipodi Sophie. Deputy Commissioner and Vice Chairman, DPDB Kohima, B. Henok Buchem, NCS, presided over the meeting.
In his address, the Chairman welcomed all members and called upon the departments to rededicate themselves to serving the people. He noted that several achievements were made in the previous year and expressed confidence that greater progress would be achieved in the current year through collective effort.
The following four societies—Rhodo Realm Academy, Middle PWD Colony, Kohima; Joint Forum Equity, Botsa; Sunrise Shuttles Badminton Club, Khikha, Rüliezou, Kohima; and Nagaland Police CSR & Security Board, P.R. Hill, Kohima—made presentations, after which the house held a detailed discussion and approved their registration, recommending the same for further necessary action by the concerned authorities.
The Horticulture Department presented a detailed overview of its organisational structure and ongoing flagship schemes and programmes. The presentation was made by Mhasi Yashü, Horticulture Officer, Department of Horticulture, who highlighted activities under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). He also highlighted activities including distribution of citrus planting materials, area expansion for citrus, kiwi, banana, pineapple and naga mircha cultivation, site verification and field inspections, vegetable seed distribution, and promotion of low-cost oyster mushroom cultivation. Infrastructure created under various schemes such as packhouses, primary processing units, water resources, protected cultivation units, rural markets and cold room facilities was also presented. The department further informed that training programmes, including specialised training on kiwi pruning conducted by a scientist from New Zealand, have been undertaken.
Under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER), the department reported that 500 hectares of certified persimmon cultivation has been taken up in the Western Angami cluster covering villages under Sechu-Zubza Block, including Zubza, Kiruphema, Sechuma, Mengujuma, Jotsoma, Khonoma, Mezoma and Thekrujuma. As per SFAC guidelines, The Green Caravan, Kohima, has been engaged as the Resource Institute to assist in the formation of Farmer Producer Organisations/Companies. Distribution of quality planting materials, machineries, persimmon dehydrators, field inspections and establishment of small processing units were also highlighted.
The department also briefed the house on activities under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), including ginger cultivation for livelihood enhancement, integrated rural markets and collection centres. Other initiatives such as the strawberry farming model project at Sechu-Zubza and Naga Mircha Festival 2024 were also mentioned.
During the discussion, the Deputy Commissioner sought clarification on the status of GI certification for tree tomato and king chilli, and organic certification under NPOP. The department informed that the GI certification process is ongoing and that certification is being pursued on a crop-specific basis, while MOVCD-NER activities are presently in the fourth phase.
The Regional Transport Officer made a presentation on National Road Safety initiatives in view of Road Safety Month, which is observed across the country. The presentation focused on reducing road accidents through education, enforcement and training of students, drivers and all stakeholders. Emphasis was laid on the importance of seatbelt use, avoiding mobile phone use while driving, and preventing reckless driving. Basic road safety measures for pedestrians and two-wheeler riders were also highlighted.
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The Regional Transport Officer also highlighted the Good Samaritan guidelines introduced by the Government of India in 2018 to encourage people to assist road accident victims without fear of legal or procedural harassment. The guidelines protect Good Samaritans who provide emergency medical or non-medical assistance, ensuring that they are not compelled to disclose personal details or face unnecessary questioning by authorities. The objective is to promote timely help during the golden hour, thereby saving lives.
The house was also briefed on provisions related to hit-and-run accident compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act. In cases of death due to hit-and-run accidents, a compensation of ₹2 lakh is provided to the next of kin, while victims suffering grievous injuries are entitled to compensation of ₹50,000.
The scheme aims to provide immediate financial relief to victims and their families.
The Deputy Commissioner took note of reports of wild elephants creating havoc in Chiephobozou and directed the Chiephobozou EAC to monitor the situation and regularly update the district administration to enable timely preventive measures.
