Correspondent
Wokha/DIMAPUR, MAY 25 (NPN): The Nationwide Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign under PM JANMAN and DA-JGUA, themed “Jan Bhagidari – Sabse Door, Sabse Pehle”, concluded in Wokha district and Chiephobozou block under Kohima district, on May 25 after a week-long outreach programme.
The initiative, inspired by the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat, sought to strengthen awareness on government welfare schemes, ensure last-mile delivery of services, and achieve saturation of benefits for tribal communities, particularly the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
At Wokha, during the campaign, coordinated outreach activities were carried out across identified villages, focusing on awareness generation, beneficiary saturation, health screening, livelihood promotion, grievance redressal, and facilitation of entitlement services.
Reviewing the programme, Deputy Commissioner Wokha, Mhathung Tsanglao, stated that the campaign covered a significant number of villages through decentralised outreach efforts. He said the initiative served not only as an awareness drive but also as an assessment exercise to evaluate the reach and impact of government welfare schemes. Tsanglao informed that several activities were undertaken during the outreach camps, including community screenings, awareness programmes on welfare schemes, livelihood promotion initiatives, and dissemination of information on government entitlements. He added that special focus was given to reaching vulnerable sections residing in remote areas.
Acknowledging challenges such as financial constraints, poor road connectivity, difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions, the DC appreciated the efforts of all departments and stakeholders in successfully carrying out the programme. He further stated that the campaign should be seen as the beginning of a larger process aimed at ensuring greater inclusion and benefit saturation in the future. He expressed hope that subsequent outreach programmes would be more comprehensive and better coordinated to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries are covered. Stressing the importance of convergence among the district administration, Health Department, line departments, self-help groups, village councils, organisations and banking institutions, Tsanglao said such collaboration would strengthen service delivery mechanisms across the district.
The DC noted that the campaign had generated valuable data and field-level insights which would help authorities identify gaps, improve accessibility and enhance implementation of welfare schemes in underserved areas. Department officials stated that the campaign had a positive impact in many villages, as several residents who were previously unaware of welfare schemes and government benefits were able to receive information, guidance and assistance during the outreach activities. Officials added that the programme helped bridge communication gaps and improved awareness among beneficiaries regarding available entitlements and services.
The campaign concluded with officials sharing their experiences and observations, noting that lessons learnt from the present exercise would contribute towards more effective planning and implementation of future outreach programmes in the district.
At Chiephobozou block under Kohima district, the programme was held at Panchayat Hall, Nerhe Phezha village.
Addressing the gathering, ADC Chiephobozou, Vekusheyi Rhakho, said the campaign’s objective was to create awareness on government welfare schemes and ensure services at people’s doorsteps. Inspired by the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat, he said the initiative focused on empowering tribal communities, enriching tribal heritage and safeguarding tribal rights through grassroots participation and coordinated departmental efforts.
Activities under the campaign included Jan Sunwai, awareness programmes, village immersion, entitlement resolution and community outreach. Rhakho urged eligible beneficiaries across Chiephobozou subdivision to avail services and called upon participants to spread awareness in their villages.
Highlighting departmental activities, CDPO Chiephobozou, Alice Yepthomi, emphasized programmes such as the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS), National E-Scholarship, Unique Disability ID (UDID), Nasha Mukti Bharat Abhiyaan and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). She informed beneficiaries to contact 6009298857 (PMMVY Cell Kohima) and 9366422853 (DHEW Office Kohima) for assistance.
RFO Savinuo Kikhi highlighted the Nagaland Forest Management Project under JICA in three villages under Chiephobozou range and spoke on the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, with emphasis on elephant-human conflict. She requested the government to constitute or reconstitute the Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) under the Biological Diversity Act 2002.
Officials from various departments also presented their programmes, including Kevimetuo Rulho (RD), Viketuno Chusi (Agriculture), Vihinu John (Food & Civil Supplies), Mhasizotuo Yashü (Horticulture), Meweluho Toso (Medical) and Asato Sachü (CFL Chiephobozou).
The programme was chaired by EAC Viketoulie Metha and attended by officials, village representatives and stakeholders.