Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has called upon all the newly formed urban local bodies (ULBs) in the state to have master plans for the comprehensive development of their cities and towns.
Inaugurating the new Dimapur Municipal Council office on Friday, Chief Minister Rio said, “The state could not conduct the ULB elections for two decades and people had suffered a lot for that. However, with the successful conduct of the elections in June, the municipal and town councils in the state have huge tasks and challenges.”
The urban local body polls were held in the state for the first time with 33 percent women reservation. The last elections were held in 2004.
Rio, addressing the newly elected municipal councillors, said the commitment to serve the people will start seriously from the new office.
“ULBs are the most accessible level of government, allowing citizens to directly engage and participate in governance. Councillors should inform the public that the taxes they pay contribute to improving their quality of life,” Rio stated.
Civic bodies can make a real difference by focusing on local concerns and issues affecting their communities, he stated.
“They should also strive for self-sufficiency, generating revenue to fund essential urban infrastructure like roads, water, and sanitation,” the chief minister said.
He said the state government has released Rs 36 crore recently to all the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the state.
He further stated, “This money should be used wisely in areas that require urgent attention, like road repair and maintenance.”
Rio also said that the state government had decided to share funds with the eastern region of the state where people did not take part in the ULB elections.
Further, he said the state government has allocated over 10 acres of land for a dumping site in Dimapur. Rio also asked the councilors of ULBs, including DMC, to prepare proposals for submission to the 16th Finance Commission.
He further suggested various measures to be taken by the DMC such as handling encroachment, easing traffic and opening a few shops, hotels and markets on Sunday.
Advisor for Labour, Employment & Skill Development and Excise, Moatoshi Longkumer said the citizens have high expectations and urged the newly elected councillors to regulate market prices.
The Advisor also asked the councillors to look into the issues of flood and traffic congestion faced by the people of Dimapur.
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Dimapur Municipality Council Chairman Hukheto Yepthomi said the new office has given the councillors new impetus to transform and to move ahead.
