Advisor Imkong Imchen flags inadequate funding, calls for revamp of Soil and Water Conservation department

KOHIMA — Advisor for Soil and Water Conservation and Information and Public Relations (IPR), Imkong L Imchen, on Monday highlighted inadequate funding and stressed the need for systemic reforms in the department of Soil and Water Conservation.

Addressing a press conference in Kohima, Imchen said that the department has a pool of well-qualified officers but has consistently received insufficient funding from the government.

He noted that the annual allocations were INR 2.50 crore in 2023-24, INR 2.70 crore in 2024-25, and INR 3.50 crore in 2025-26, which he said are below the funding provided to other departments.

Imchen said that the department has around 100 officers spread across the state who remain largely idle due to the lack of financial support over the last three years.

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He highlighted the department’s institute at Zubza, which trains Soil Conservation Assistants through a two-year diploma course designed specifically for soil conservation. Candidates are selected after completing PU (10+2) Science and undergo merit-based selection for employment.

However, he expressed concern over changes to the service rules imposed by the department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (P&AR), which converted the training into an in-service programme.

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Under the previous pre-service system, 439 students graduated from 21 batches, and almost all were employed. Imchen said that the new system makes trainees government employees regardless of whether they pass the course, increasing expenditure unnecessarily.

Terming it as a “stupid policy,” Imchen maintained that he has repeatedly protested the decision. He also pointed out that recruitment should be handled by the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB), not by the department.

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He cited the Rules of Executive Business, under which departmental responsibilities and assignments are allocated by the government. He said that the department of Soil and Water Conservation is formally responsible for Natural Resource Management (NRM) under the RKVY scheme, but in practice, the work is handled by the Agriculture department.

While several representations have been submitted over the years to ensure compliance with the Rules of Executive Business, he noted that under the current arrangement, the Soil and Water Conservation department functions under the direction and control of the Agriculture department and cannot be considered a full-fledged department.

He added that nodal authority for the prime minister’s RKVY programme rests with the Agriculture department, with other departments including Soil and Water Conservation and Land Resources, placed under its supervision.

He also said the department has lacked resources for centrally sponsored schemes. He cited a project proposal submitted in 2015 that could not be approved for seven to eight years.

Following his intervention with former Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, INR 35 crore was sanctioned last year for rejuvenating mined areas with degraded soil. The project is now under implementation, he said.

Imchen said that while this central funding is a step forward, the department’s state allocation remains inadequate and limits its capacity to function effectively.