Supongmeren reviews DISHA programs in Niuland and Chumoukedima

Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) S. Supongmeren Jamir conducted back-to-back consultative meetings with members of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) in Niuland and Chumoukedima districts on Wednesday. The meetings, held at the respective DC Conference Halls, aimed to strengthen coordination between district officials and grassroots stakeholders, review the implementation of centrally sponsored schemes, and ensure transparency and accountability in developmental activities.
Niuland meeting: Strengthening rural development and strategic planning
In Niuland, MP Supongmeren Jamir addressed the gathering by emphasizing the importance of grassroots engagement and transparency in the execution of government schemes. He stated that the purpose of the meeting was to create awareness and ensure that development projects are reaching the intended beneficiaries without delays or diversion of funds.
“We are here to listen to you, your experiences, challenges, and feedback on how these schemes are being implemented at the grassroots level,” he said, while calling on Gaon Buras (GBs) and Village Council Members to actively participate in the dialogue.
Jamir held detailed discussions with representatives from six key departments – Rural Development, Urban Development, Agriculture, Industries & Commerce, Lead Bank, and Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) as they presented updates on their respective projects and initiatives. He urged officials to maintain strict oversight and ensure timely completion of all sanctioned projects.
DC Niuland, Sara S. Jamir, delivered the welcome address and highlighted the district’s unique position and developmental needs. She noted that Niuland, being a newly created district with a predominantly rural population, requires sustained support and strategic planning to match the progress of other districts in Nagaland.
Jamir also pointed out Niuland’s geographical advantage, bordering Assam and several key districts including Dimapur, Tseminyu, Kohima, Chumoukedima, and Wokha, positioning it as a potential economic and communication hub in the state. She expressed optimism that the MP’s visit and the DISHA review would catalyze development efforts and strengthen coordination among departments and local bodies.
Chumoukedima meeting: Enhancing coordination and inclusive participation
Later in the day, Supongmeren Jamir chaired the DISHA meeting in Chumoukedima district, held at the DC Office’s Conference Hall. In his address, the MP stressed that every member present carries a responsibility to ensure the effective implementation of government schemes. He elaborated on the structure of the DISHA committee, noting that it is headed by the department at the district level, with the chief minister leading the State-level committee, and the Rural Development Minister serving as co-chairman. The DC acts as the member secretary.
Jamir emphasized that forming a committee alone is insufficient unless all stakeholders collaborate to identify and resolve challenges faced by departmental heads. “This meeting is the right platform to discuss how to execute the purpose of government activities, the challenges in heading projects, and to offer positive suggestions for steady implementation,” he said.
He also addressed issues related to fund flow from the ministry, stating that if departments face difficulties in accessing funds, the DISHA committee can recommend solutions. As a non-official member, Jamir pledged to assist in bridging communication between grassroots stakeholders and departmental heads.
He informed the gathering that the Ministry has issued directives to ensure that only genuine and eligible candidates are selected for projects, as per departmental guidelines. Failure to adhere to these guidelines could result in reviews of implementation and fund diversion. He added that non-official members would play a key role in monitoring and ensuring that schemes reach the grassroots level.
To promote inclusive participation, Jamir suggested that instead of appointing permanent Village Council Chairmen to the committee, a rotational system be adopted. This would allow different village leaders to share their concerns and stay informed about ongoing projects. He also proposed that NGOs be covered by non-official members and newly constituted Town Councils be supported by the District Administration, enabling them to raise issues at both the State and District Planning Board levels.
Jamir emphasized that the DISHA committee has the jurisdiction to discuss and recommend positively implemented projects to the District Planning Board, while unresolved issues can be escalated to the State-level DISHA committee. He urged all officials and non-official members to embrace their responsibilities and work collaboratively to ensure the success of development initiatives.
“In Chumoukedima, no one will serve for a long period, so let us enjoy the responsibilities given and show our achievements,” he said, encouraging all Heads of Departments (HoDs) and committee members to actively contribute to the district’s growth. He informed that there are 97 centrally sponsored schemes under DISHA and clarified that the committee is not an RTI forum for accusations, but a platform for constructive dialogue and timely completion of projects.
Deputy Commissioner of Chumoukedima, Polan John, in his address, noted that the last DISHA meeting in the district was held on March 31, 2023. He explained that DISHA, which means “direction” or “cause” in Hindi, is tasked with monitoring all centrally sponsored schemes and programmes implemented across districts.
John highlighted that on April 15, 2025, the Ministry of Rural Development modified DISHA guidelines to include schemes under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER). He emphasized that the committee must ensure that all flagship programmes are implemented in accordance with guidelines, facilitate convergence between departments, and address bottlenecks to bring about transformation in the district.
He assured that feedback from the grassroots level would be used to improve or modify the design of central schemes. The committee, he said, is also responsible for monitoring fund flow and utilization of resources released by the Ministry.
During the meeting, all committee members presented the status of various government programmes being implemented in their respective departments. PowerPoint presentations were delivered by the departments of Rural Development, Industries & Commerce, PHED, Lead District Manager (LDM), and the District Agriculture Office.