The District Planning and Development Board meeting for the month of August was held on August 7 at DC’s conference hall, Zunheboto, under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner and Vice Chairman, DPDB, Dharam Raj, IAS.

The meeting began with a welcome to the newly inducted board member. Following this, key agendas were discussed, including the proposal for registration of the Suruhuto Area Sports Association (SASA) as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, which was approved and forwarded for onward procedures.

Furthermore, agenda on the proposal forwarded by Zunheboto Government College to introduce new academic programs, including a Sociology Department, Education Honours, an Integrated B.Ed. course, and a Science stream.

Principal of Zunheboto Government College, Dr. R. Bendangtemjen, emphasized that the appointment of teachers should precede these developments, stating that once teachers are appointed, students will eventually come and enroll. He also appealed to the Department to assist fifth-semester students with their mandatory 60-hour internship program under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP), as it is now a compulsory component of the curriculum. He also highlighted the deplorable road conditions of the college campus, which is making it difficult for both the students and teachers to commute to classes.

President, Sumi Hoho, Dr Vihuto Asumi expressed his utmost concern over the frequent attachment of faculty members from Zunheboto Government College to other institutions, weakening the faculty strength of only Government Arts College in the district. He shared with floor that although a formal representation on the issue has already been submitted to the concerned department on 16th May 2025, no actions have yet been initiated. He further stressed on the discontentment on other issues such as transfer of the teaching faculties.

Furthermore, Dr. Asumi, while highlighting the socioeconomic challenges faced by students, pointed out that most students at the college come from underprivileged backgrounds and thus cannot afford to study elsewhere. Three faculty members have already been transferred, two from the History department and one from Education, which he stated was deeply concerning.

Responding to the concerns, Deputy Commissioner, Dharam Raj IAS assured the Board that steps shall be taken to address the issue. The DC implored that the practice of attachment must be stopped and instead work to induct more qualified teachers must be taken up, He said that political leaders are not solely to be blamed; the issues must be examined from the grassroots level thus ensuring merit-based appointments.

The DC stressed that public service should not be deprived or compromised. If one cannot fulfill their duties, they have every right to resign. They cannot play with the lives of our students. Accreditation can wait, what matters first is the quality of education, to get more points in the accreditation assessment teachers going for study leave for further studies despite college grappling with limited faculty is not fair for our students.

The meeting also discussed the distribution of departmental responsibilities for the upcoming 79th Independence Day celebrations.

A PowerPoint presentation was delivered by the Land Resources Department, Zunheboto, highlighting various activities and schemes, including the e-Shram scheme for Nagaland’s building and construction workers, scholarships for children, medical assistance, and the verification of labor beneficiaries.

It was announced that the next departmental presentation will be presented by the Urban Development Department.

Kohima:

The monthly meeting of the District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) Kohima was held on August 8 at the DPDB Conference Hall under the chairmanship of Kevipodi Sophie, MLA and Chairman of DPDB Kohima. The meeting was presided over by Deputy Commissioner and Vice Chairman of DPDB Kohima, B Henok Buchem (NCS).

Welcoming the members, the DC reviewed the minutes of the previous meeting and expressed gratitude for the cooperation extended during recent events. He thanked the officers designated to perform liaison duties for the Dr. T Ao Football Tournament for their involvement so far, noting their coordination with the organising committee, participating teams, and relevant departments to ensure smooth execution. The Chairman also welcomed the newly posted Superintendent of Police, Kohima, Krodi Rhetso (NPS), to the DPDB.

A PowerPoint presentation was delivered by Deputy Commissioner of Excise (Zonal), Venezolu Dawhuo, on the activities of the Excise Department, Kohima. She outlined the department’s history, noting its establishment on December 1, 1963, and its re-designation as the Excise & Prohibition Department following the enactment of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989.

The department now primarily focuses on enforcing the NLTP Act, 1989, and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, shifting away from its earlier revenue collection role. Its duties include the prevention, control, and regulation of liquor possession, sale, manufacture, and transportation, as well as curbing the smuggling of excisable goods and narcotic drugs. It also regulates denatured spirits for industrial use and coordinates with central agencies such as the Narcotics Control Bureau and the Central Bureau of Narcotics.

In the last financial year, the Kohima unit registered 1,040 cases of NLTP Act violations, seizing 1.725 kg of heroin and 9,000 bottles of codeine cough syrup. From January 2024 to June 2025, fines amounting to ₹11,26,000 were realized and deposited as revenue. During the Hornbill Festival 2024, the department issued 53 temporary liquor permits to food stalls for tourist consumption.

Awareness programmes on drug and alcohol abuse were also conducted, including one at Kezocha under the Village Adoption Committee. Notably, on September 29, 2024, 1.61 kg of heroin (161 soap boxes) was seized at Khuzama Check Gate.

The meeting further discussed and approved proposals under the Local Area Development Programme (LADP) 2025–26, with the Chairman urging departments to coordinate with the District Planning Officer to avoid overlap.

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play

On the proposed shifting of the administrative headquarters from Sechü-Zubza, the SDO (C) informed the house that a joint consultative meeting with stakeholders was held on 14th July 2025. The Chairman advised forming a committee comprising representatives from 14 villages and the Western Angami Public Organization to follow up on the matter.

The meeting concluded with the announcement that the next PowerPoint presentation will be delivered by the Veterinary Department.