The monthly meeting of the Zunheboto District Planning & Development Board (DPDB) was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall on June 9. The session was chaired by K Tokugha Sukhalu, Advisor for Food & Civil Supplies, Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection, and Chairman of the Urban Local Bodies & Village Council Committee and DPDB.
While welcoming the board members, Sukhalu reviewed the minutes of the previous meeting and urged all officials to actively participate in discussions and raise district-specific issues without hesitation.
Further, addressing the gathering, the Advisor observed that Nagaland has one of the highest ratios of government employees relative to its population, even as state revenue generation remains limited. Given this fiscal reality, he emphasized that government departments and officials must work diligently to ensure the proper and efficient utilization of available resources for public benefit.
Sukhalu also stressed the need to conduct public awareness programs at least once or twice a year. These campaigns, he noted, are essential to educate and motivate citizens regarding various government initiatives and developmental activities, ultimately instilling a greater sense of public responsibility and participation.
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Highlighting infrastructure challenges, the Advisor acknowledged the acute shortage of government quarters for officers posted in Zunheboto. To mitigate this issue, he informed the board that the General Administration Guest House currently under construction at North Point Colony will provide temporary accommodation for government officials, thereby improving public service delivery.
During the meeting, Khehoshe H Yepthomi, President of the NPF Zunheboto Division, pointed out that while the district produces a sufficient quantity of local vegetables, farmers still struggle to market their produce due to inadequate infrastructure. He called for the construction of a Rural Marketing Shed to provide better marketing opportunities for local farmers and entrepreneurs.
The board also recommended several developmental proposals after brief deliberations.
The proposal for registration of the Taekwondo Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, was approved and recommended for further action. The proposal to upgrade The Cedar School in Aghunato was also recommended and forwarded to the competent authority for approval. Meanwhile, the board discussed transferring unassigned public properties, currently under the custodianship of the District Administration, to the Zunheboto Town Council (ZTC). As part of this transition, the Multi-Purpose Hall was formally handed over to the ZTC. This arrangement will be observed for a trial period of one year before final decisions are made regarding its permanent management and administration.
