Nagaland’s lone Lok Sabha MP, Supongmeren Jamir, on Friday announced that District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) would begin holding meetings in all districts with the initial phase covering six to seven districts starting from Peren district.
Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhavan here, MP Supongmeren Jamir, who is also the president of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) said the committee, which was formed to monitor and coordinate centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) provided by the Centre, would ensure proper implementation, prevent fund diversion, and address grievances at the grassroots level.
MP informed that the DISHA committee would particularly focus on nine major rural development schemes under the RD Department, including MGNREGA and housing schemes.
He stressed that village development boards (VDBs) and village councils must cooperate with the committee to ensure proper implementation and transparency.
He said that all spot inspections would be documented, photographed, and reviewed, and any department found negligent would be required to respond within 30 days.
He said the goal was to ensure that every rupee intended for public welfare was utilized as per guidelines and reached the people it was meant for.
According to MP, each district has four nominated members from his office. Additionally, in consultation with respective deputy commissioners (DCs), two to three village council chairmen would be involved on a rotational basis to represent local perspectives. DCs, who serve as member secretaries of the DISHA committee, would be responsible for facilitating coordination between the committee and the village-level functionaries, Jamir said.
He pointed out that DISHA committee was empowered to conduct quarterly meetings—or more frequently, if required—to review projects, interact with implementing departments, and offer support in overcoming financial or logistical challenges. The committee also has the authority to summon departments that showed lapses in execution. Departments found defaulting would be required to rectify issues within 30 days, with reports forwarded to the state DISHA committee and the concerned union ministry, MP said.
Expressing concern over the reluctance of several departments to share records, he stressed that the DISHA committee was not operating in an adversarial role but as a support mechanism. MP warned that any misuse of funds would be reported directly to the concerned ministry, while departments that performed well would receive positive recommendations.
MP cited a case raised by Pevima Village Council (PVC), which claimed that funds received through direct benefit transfers (DBT) were being diverted by village councils, with beneficiaries being forced to return a portion of the funds. MP urged the beneficiaries to file complaints with the DCs or DISHA committee before such deductions occur, as post-facto grievances offer little scope for corrective measures.
Further, Jamir stated that some departments appeared unaware or unwilling to apply for various central schemes, leading to underutilization of resources.
Despite the existence of numerous schemes—each department handling 9–10 on average—many departments reportedly claimed they had not received any funds. He clarified that funds could not be disbursed unless departments actively applied and followed due process.
According to Jamir, there were currently over 100 centrally sponsored schemes being implemented in Nagaland, a substantial increase from 67 recorded about a decade ago.
Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) recruitment: Highlighting employment challenges for local youth, Jamir drew attention to the Gramin Dak Sevak (GDS) recruitment under the postal department. He said the recruitment process, based solely on Class 10 marks, puts local aspirants at a disadvantage compared to mainland applicants who often score 90% and above.
MP informed that he, along with the chief minister and chief secretary, have requested the postal department to recognize local languages and dialects as the “third language” for GDS recruitment. This move, he said, would create more opportunities for local candidates and pave a path toward higher-level jobs in the department through internal examinations and departmental promotions.
Speaking on Article 371A, Jamir urged the state government and citizens to proactively use the provisions of Article 371A to facilitate development while safeguarding traditional rights.
He encouraged landowners to collaborate with the government through land donations or mutual understanding. MP asserted that such cooperation would allow Nagas to fully enjoy the benefits of the special status granted under the Constitution.
Jamir, however, expressed concern that the provision has so far been viewed merely as a protective clause rather than as an opportunity to drive positive change. He stressed that both the state and its people must learn how to “use” Article 371A effectively for the betterment of the state.
On political participation, MP emphasized the importance of voter awareness and responsibility. He said the mandate given through a single vote should be treated as a powerful tool, not only to elect lawmakers but also to hold them accountable throughout their tenure.
Jamir asserted that voters should not distance themselves from the government after elections but instead serve as active stakeholders in governance. He said that if the current government failed to perform, voters have the opportunity in 2028 to elect better representatives. Until then, he said citizens must ensure that their earlier mandate was honoured and that elected leaders were guided to deliver justice and development.