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Our Correspondent
Kohima, June 28 (EMN): Chief Minister Niephiu Rio, on Tuesday, called for collective effort to make Nagaland the most liveable place, known for its facilities, kindness, and hospitality rather than the tag of ‘disturbed state’.
He was addressing the state function for Cleanest Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Wards Award 2022 held at Capital Convention Centre in Kohima.
Rio appreciated the department and the officials involved for their initiatives to keep the towns clean, while exuding confidence that it would carry a positive message to everyone.
Despite Nagaland being a small state having municipalities and town councils, he said awareness and cleanliness to make the state a garbage-free movement should become not only be one time but consistent and a way of life.
Rio, however, lamented that the state does not have proper town planning, by-laws and the government is faced with a lot of problems in the upkeep of the city such as amenities, roads, street lights, water supply, and shops and markets which are haphazardly placed in the towns.
He maintained that despite these issues, the department is supporting the initiatives and the community is also realising the importance of keeping the town clean.He remarked that there is a positive development, which is getting ‘better and better’.
The chief minister viewed that it is inevitable to urbanise as it is the engine of economic growth but there are also enormous opportunities for wealth generation. He stated that the government will have to cope with that demand, which is slowly picking up.
“Our jobs will not be easy, we need to have new innovations and take new initiatives to face the challenges about housing, making roads, drainage, waste management and water supply”, said Rio.
He also stated that awareness should go to the rural, suburban and urban areas, and would take up with the School Education department on how to impart civic duties to the children. Further sensitisation will be conducted through the Rural Development department in the form of competitions at the district-level.
He also mooted that every district should have a breeding farm, so that the piglets can be sold. He commended the restrictions imposed by Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) on the import of livestock in its jurisdiction, stating that this should be emulated and bring up more innovations.
Further, Rio also pointed out that the towns and cities should provide an atmosphere of liveability for others to come and live, making a reference to the 2018 liveability index. Kohima was ranked second last and after a gap of some years, the ranking moved up to 92 from 110, with more room for improvement.
Rio further said that Naga society is ‘mixed’ and problems exist because people do not want the 74th amendment of the Constitution of India, which has made Panchayati Raj institutions in the country constitutional bodies.
However, being a tribal society, it doesn’t want women reservation nor pay taxes but the state still gets the share of central taxes and duties.
Whereas in rural local bodies, the 73rd amendment of India exempts the state of Nagaland and therefore does not go through the process of Panchayati Raj election as it has village councils by tradition. Towards this, he stated that the people are trying to use the village institutional traditions in the urban bodies, which cannot be imposed.
He maintained that if ULB is set, the elected representatives would decide on what would be the levied charge and would be used for the town council/ municipality in sanitation, repair of roads and other development.
Meanwhile, Rio informed that with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's term to chair the G20, it comes with responsibility for the country to host different meets and for which two officials came for a survey and the duo were stated to have shown keen interest to keep such meeting in the state, then he questioned the government officials present if state is ready to host such events.
He also maintained that Nagas are an educated but not a refined society, and in this regard he said the combined efforts would make a difference.
Further, he also stressed on the need to have a public park in all the towns and cities for people to relax.
Earlier, keynote address was delivered by Advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Dr Neikiesalie Kire, while testimonials were shared by Thungchanbemo Tungoe, administrator of Tuensang Town Council; Chumlamo Humtsoe, the then administrator of Abou Town Council; and Japhet Woch administrator of Pfutsero Town Council.
Additional secretary of Urban Development, Elizabeth Ngully delivered the way forward while a visual presentation of Assessment survey report was presented by LiFE NGO.
I Himato Zhimomi, principal secretary of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs chaired the programme and delivered the introductory remarks and vote of thanks was delivered by Tarachu Fithu, Joint director of Urban Development.
On the occasion the chief minister also released the assessment report on Cleanest Urban Local Bodies and Wards Award -2022 in the presence of his cabinet colleagues, and handed the prizes to the various category winners.
Chumuokedima Town Council was awarded first prize and received INR 1.5 lakh and a citation in category-1(four ULBs); Dimapur Municipal Council won second prize and received INR 1 lakh with citation
Pfutsero Town Council got first and was awarded INR 1 lakh and citation in category-2 (15 ULBs) followed by Phek Town Council in second and received INR 75,000;while Tuli Town Council won third prize and was awarded INR 50,000.
Aboi Town Council got first and was awarded with INR 1 lakh; Chiephobozou Town Council got second and received INR 75,000; and Mangkolemba Town Council got third and was awarded with INR 50,000 and citation in category-3 (20 ULBs).
Meanwhile, Tuensang Town Council was awarded best performer in terms of efforts followed by Aghunato Town Council and both received INR 25,000 each.
In ULBs best innovative solutions award - Pfutsero Town Council got first, followed by Aboi Town Council, Chumoukedima Town Council and Phek Town Council, and were awarded INR 25,000 each.
Further, in ULBs with best community mobilisation - Tuli Town Council got first followed by Dimapur Municipal Council and Atoizu Town Council, and were awarded 25,000 each.