Parliamentary Secretary RD & REPA S. Pangyu Phom on Thursday said Naga generation would survive on the village development board and stressed on the need to revive activities of the villages.
More than 80% of the country’s population in India is rural and government of India is concentrating in its various scheme for the rural populace, he said. “If we do not uplift the living standard of these villagers, we cannot progress”, he said and reminded that even Vision 2020 envisages for the advancement of all villagers.
Pangyu said this while addressing the inaugural programme of new Kohima RD Block office building cum release of VDB Magazine, R D Block Kohima.
He observed that there were different systems of implementation of different government projects in all the districts, but Kohima was a chosen place in terms of roads, marketing and termed Kohima block as the luckiest beneficiary.
He stressed the need to start income generation plan so that people would not depend on the government and said that the Kohima block can be a perfect starting point.
Earlier, Bei-u Angami, deputy commissioner cum VDB chairman, admitted that he had been holding the post for the last 3 years as DC and VDB Chairman and thanked all for the cooperation.
DC said the department brings a lot of programs for rural villages and Kohima was brought under 2 blocks- Sechu and Kohima.
He also stated that there were some non-functional VDBs in some villages/blocks due to money dispute and that if there were commotion in VDB, there was no way for development.
He therefore urged the VDB secretaries to be honest, and deliver the goods to the people.
He further reminded that erratic monsoons have been affecting the cultivators and stressed the need to preserve/reserve water.
Commissioner and Secretary, RD V.Sakhrie reminded that Kohima being the first district in Nagaland have to lead and initiate and keeping in mind whatever they do, others are watching them.
He also asked officers of the department to rededicate themselves and urged them not to mix election/politics and development but have a sense of patriotism, if they loved the nation.
Dolhounyu, VCC Khonoma addressed the occasion on behalf of VDBs and other important highlights of the event included invocation by Dr. Vevo Phesa-o, Pastor CBCMH Kohima, welcome address by Vi-u Belho, special song by Rukuootuo, folk song by Vero & Party, acknowledgement by John Sote, VDB Secretary, Kohima Village while Zavikuolie, VDB Secretary Sirhi Angami proposed the vote of thanks and P.Koza, BDO chaired the function respectively.