Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, said that the discussion on the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) issue with stakeholders would take place where concrete decision would be made for the good of the state.
According to a DIPR report, the chief minister said this at a felicitation programme of newly elected legislators of 14th NLA from Kohima district cum monthly DPDB meeting at DPDB Hall Kohima on Saturday.
While emphasizing on ULB election, Rio said that the government tried its best to bring more opportunities to its citizens while so many negative impacts and social unrest had been faced. Therefore, he said that in order not to face same situation like in 2017, the government had repealed Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 in toto.
Implementation of RIIN will depend on VCs: Regarding RIIN, Rio said that Naga people were the native citizens of Nagaland and the village council were the guardian of traditional and customary law and to implement it successfully or not depended on the village councils.
Rio said that the village councils have the authority to issue Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate to any eligible citizen. However, he also warned that misusing of the power could invite legal action from the government. In this regard, the chief minister urged the administration and police to assist in implementing RIIN in a corrective manner. At the meeting, the chief minister also remarked that even the Britishers did not involve in the Naga village level since election process becomes dirty and corrupt.
Rio, therefore, suggested selection and head count process instead of election in the village level so as to keep village affairs fair and transparent and to safeguard traditional and customary law and its governance.
On the occasion, chief minister thanked the Kohima DPDB for organising the programme. He sought active participation from all the district officers to make Kohima city a real Smart City in Nagaland.
Rio remarked that officers who were posted in Kohima, the state capital and the first district of Nagaland, were privileged and since Kohima is the Mirror of Nagaland. He urged every officer and stakeholder to give their best to keep Kohima city in proper place in terms of sanitation, beautification and other basic amenities.
Rio also thanked and congratulated the district administration, police and other line departments for their tireless efforts and effective cooperation for the successful conduct of G20/B20 Summit in Kohima and peaceful conduct of State General Election 2023.
The chief minister also suggested holding of forthcoming DPDB meetings in different venues in to make it more interesting and constructive by giving special emphasis on the particular area and to see the works that has been achieved and also to identify the developmental activities that were to be focused.
He also asked district officers to be aware of the important historical places. He also asked the tourism department to give more importance in training Tourist Guides with special focus in rural areas with basic facilities, since most of the tourists prefer to stay in rural areas.
DPDB chairman and advisor Er. Kropol Vitsu, in his short speech, expressed gratitude to the chief minister for reposing faith in him and assigning him as the chairman of Kohima DPDB. He said under the leadership of chief minister Rio the elected legislators would lead the district in terms of planning and development. Chairman asked the members to extend their full cooperation and contribute constructive suggestions as per the policies and programmes of the government for the development of the district. He also called upon the members to be sincere, regular and take active part in the forum in order to contribute something for the welfare of the public and become a role model to the other district.
The newly elected legislators led by chief minister, Neiphiu Rio; minister for women resource development & horticulture, Salhoutuonuo Kruse; advisor prisons, printing & stationeries, Er. Kropol Vitsu; Kevipodi Sophie, MLA, and Tseilhoutuo Rhutso, MLA, attended the felicitation programme.
Review of last meeting minutes, PPT presentation by Horticulture Department and District AIDS Prevention & Control Unit (DAPCU) were also presented.
DC Kohima, Shanavas C, chaired the programme and also delivered the welcome address and felicitating the newly elected legislators. District Education Officer, Emilo Patton gave invocation while and vote of thanks was proposed by DPO & member secretary DPDB, Vilhoutuonuo Sachu.
Friday, June 27, 2025