Patton firms on ‘no work no pay’ policy

Y Patton and Achumbemo Kikon along with other officials during the monthly meeting of Wokha DPDB on Tuesday.

• DIMAPUR — Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, Y Patton, who has been appointed as the new chairman of Wokha District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) has cautioned the officers and staff of Wokha district that ‘No work no pay’ policy would be enforced strictly.
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• Addressing the DPDB members during its monthly meeting on Tuesday at the conference hall of the deputy commissioner’s office, he emphasised the importance of regular attendance and assured to personally conduct surprise visits across various departments.
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• He announced that wages of absent employees would be deducted and redirected to support civil societies within the district.

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• "People coming from interior places should not suffer due to absence of government employees," he maintained.
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• Reinforcing his commitment to good governance and service, Patton also encouraged the district departmental heads for submitting proposals for development activities and infrastructure requirements to higher authorities for ensuring efficiency and faster development. To strengthen participation, he declared that DPDB meeting would be held on Saturdays beginning from next month and made it mandatory for all officials to attend.
  
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• Informing about the approval for construction of Wokha DC’s office, which according to him would be in the like of a mini secretariat, Patton appealed to the Lotha Hoho, Lotha Students’ Union and Lotha Women Hoho to monitor the contractor's workmanship. He informed that funds would not be released if the workmanship does not meet the required standard.
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• The chairman of Bhandari SDPB, Achumbemo Kikon, who also attended the meeting, shed light on various developmental projects and concerns within the district.
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• Among the key issues discussed included Wokha-Merapani road improvement, construction of deputy commissioner's complex, Merapani seed farm and the establishment of ADC headquarters in Doyang.
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• Kikon revisited the proposal to rename Government Higher Secondary School Wokha to Lt. Mhondamo Memorial Higher Secondary School, a resolution put forward in a previous DPDB meeting for higher approval. He maintained that renaming would be a tribute to M Kithan, Nagaland’s first education minister, 1st graduate from among the Lothas and second president of the Naga National Council (NNC).
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• Recognising his significant contributions towards the Lotha community and the Nagas as a whole, Patton reinforced his sentiment stating that honouring Kithan through the institution’s renaming would reflect his dedication to education and leadership.
  
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• During the meeting, the board extended congratulated to outstanding students from the district, who have excelled in the HSLC and HSSLC examinations. Among the recognised achievers were Denben C Murry, ranked 8th from Spring Dale School Wokha; Sojano Erui, ranked 13th from Libemo Memorial School Wokha; and Zejano H Ngullie, ranked 17th from Fernbrook School Wokha.
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• Patton also expressed his personal appreciation by handing over INR 20,000 each to the achievers.
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• A senior scientist and head of ICAR-KVK Wokha, Dr. Sandeep Deshmukh, made a powerpoint presentation detailing the agricultural activities and schemes implemented over the past year. His report covered training and awareness programmes, infrastructure renovations and the distribution of saplings to farmers, alongside an outline for the year 2025-26.
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• He also highlighted significant challenges affecting the agricultural sector, particularly poor road connectivity and water scarcity, citing the lack of permanent water sources as a pressing concern for the region.
  
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• A DIPR report stated that the board meeting was presided over by the deputy commissioner of Wokha, Vineet Kumar.
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• The meeting was marked with official welcome of the newly appointed chairman of Wokha DPDB, Yanthungo Patton. The house also acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing chairman, Mhonbemo Humtsoe.