Nagaland: Rio asks urban bodies to make master plans for development

Dimapur: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has asked the newly formed urban local bodies in the state to make master plans for the development of their towns and cities.

“We have to really plan for hygienic water supply, good sanitation facilities, good roads, beautification and street lights,” he said after inaugurating the new DMC office at Forest colony here.

He asked the councilor to do whatever is possible for the people.

He also asked the councilors of ULBs to develop a system to earn revenue to make their town and municipal councils sustainable.

“You can collect tax inside your towns but you cannot block national highways,” Rio told them.

He said the state government has released Rs 36 crore recently to different ULBs in the state to attend to their immediate needs.

The CM also asked the ULBs to submit proposals to the state government to meet their immediate requirements but said these should be reasonable.

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.

On the successful and peaceful conduct of recent ULB elections in the state after more than two decades, Rio highlighted the challenges faced in conducting the polls, including fighting cases in the Supreme Court to reserve 33% seats for women candidates and passing an Act in the assembly for the same.

“We suffered for two decades as the grant was not provided,” he stated.

Rio said he has a lot of expectations from the new DMC councilors while resting hope on their commitments to serve the people.