Achumbemo Kikon MLA of 40 Bhandari A/C has strongly asserted that any challenge to the ownership of the Nagaland Seed Farm in Merapani would be unacceptable. He emphasized that the farm unequivocally belongs to Nagaland and called for the cancellation of farmland leases, advocating for its conversion into a major rice-producing zone. Achumbemo vowed to oppose any illegal attempt to seize state land.
He made these remarks at the monthly Sub-Divisional Planning and Development Board (SDPDB) meeting held in Bhandari on May 9. On the education sector, Achumbemo stressed that schools must not compromise on performance.
The board discussed student enrolment and teacher effectiveness in government schools within the Bhandari sub-division. The MLA urged school heads to focus on motivation and adapt to changing times, emphasizing that non-performance cannot be tolerated.
Following assessments, the board resolved to downgrade GMS Yampha Old to GPS due to three consecutive years of nil enrolment for Classes 6, 7, and 8. Discussions were also held on the transfer of six schools from the SDEO Mangkolemba establishment to the SDEO Bhandari establishment.
Deputy director and in-charge Y. James Humtsoe clarified that the six schools were officially transferred in 2020 but remained under SDEO Mangkolemba’s supervision. The board emphasized the need for swift administrative alignment.
Infrastructure updates were also reviewed. SDO PWD (R&B) Er. C. Tungoe reported steady progress on the Foothill Road construction, and informed that work on five bridges was advancing well, though one was experiencing delays. Earth-cutting and widening activities were ongoing.
Earlier, Achumbemo and other attendees congratulated and felicitated the top three students from Bhandari sub-division for their outstanding performance in the matric and higher secondary examinations.
Meanwhile, JE Power reported that all physical work required to shift a 1.6 MVA power transformer to Merapani’s 33KV line had been completed. He thanked MLA Kikon for his leadership and funding of the project, noting that a Hydra was needed for final installation and commissioning.