Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, MAY 16 (NPN): Amid the ongoing crisis in the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) following a no-confidence motion against its chairperson, advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Zhaleo Rio, Saturday said the state government was closely monitoring the developments while stressing the need for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to function with unity, transparency and teamwork.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a programme at Chümoukedima, Zhaleo acknowledged that mistrust and internal conflicts had surfaced within municipal bodies soon after the ULB elections.
Referring to the DMC crisis, he said the matter was currently before the deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur following submission of the no-confidence motion and that the government would wait for the outcome.
“Maybe three months after the election itself, this kind of blame game, suspicion and mistrust started. In my personal capacity and on behalf of the department, I have been appealing to them,” he said. Zhaleo admitted that political differences within the ruling setup had contributed to the situation. “It is unfortunate that from our political party, the then NDPP and now NPF, all this problem has been created. But now the matter is lying in the court of the DC Dimapur. Since a no-confidence motion has already been moved, we have to wait for the outcome,” he said.
On concerns that the developments could set a bad precedent for municipal governance, the advisor pointed out that leadership changes had already occurred in other ULBs, including Niuland Town Council and Kohima Municipal Council. “We tried to ensure that elected representatives deliver goods to the public, but unfortunately this has happened. We were trying to contain it so that it does not create a bad precedent,” he said.
The advisor cited Mokokchung Municipal Council as an example of a well-functioning municipal body, stating that it was collecting revenue, paying salaries and carrying out developmental works efficiently. “MMC should be emulated,” he remarked, adding that some municipal bodies appeared to lack leadership quality. On reports of divisions among councillors belonging to the same political party, Zhaleo said the Naga People’s Front leadership had attempted “damage control”.
Addressing concerns over the absence of a proper dumping site for East Dimapur and continued garbage disposal near residential colonies and highways, Rio said the government had already acquired land for DMC and East Dimapur Town Council after obtaining no objection certificates (NOCs) from village authorities.
However, he said fresh objections had emerged from certain village councils after the acquisition process.
“Earlier, NOC was obtained from Darogajan Village Council, but now they are saying they will not allow the dumping site. I asked where the waste should then be thrown,” Rio said.
He also informed that the National Green Tribunal had directed the government to shift the existing dumping site, making the issue more urgent.
On the condition of garbage disposal vehicles under DMC, Rio admitted that maintenance remained a major challenge despite the flagging off of sanitation trucks on Saturday.
“No matter how many vehicles, employees or funds we provide, unless they come together and work as a team, it is difficult,” he said.
He urged municipal bodies to place public interest above internal conflicts and work collectively for effective delivery of civic services.