Dimapur, March 30 (DIPR): The process of decentralized of power started with VDB which is an example for the whole of India, said Nagaland Minister for Rural Development, Noke Wangnao.
He was speaking during the conference on Rural Development entitled “Empowerment through Decentralization” at the ongoing NE Agri Expo 2006.
Stating that VDB is the basis of the present Panchayati Raj, Noke said “Nagaland is the birth-place of Rural Development”. He said that major fund flows into the Agri and Allied Sector and cautioned the VDBs to be prudent in utilizing funds meant for development.
“Failure if any, on the part of the VDB is not failure of the Government” he maintained. He urged upon the VDBs to improve their functioning as necessary funds for development are provided. During the function the Minister also released a souvenir of SIRD.
The Chief Secretary of Nagaland, Lalhuma IAS who also spoke during the conference said that the ongoing NE Agri expo is mainly for the rural people of NE India and further said that the workshop must benefit the target group (farmers) which constitutes about 80%. “If development takes place we must concentrate on the 80%” he said. The Chief Secretary also shared his fantasy on the Nagaland Rural Scenario.
Delivering the keynote address Principal Secretary RD Nagaland Toshi Aier, IAS said that through the various seminars held during the 1 st ever NE Agri Expo a platform has been provided to identify lour strength and to know our weaknesses “platform where we together will be able to showcase what we have and be able to wave out our view points so that we will be able to work out a system to march forward in areas where we require boosting he said.
He regretted that we lag behind in submitting utilization Certificates despite the Government of India being liberal in providing funds.
He also said that VDBs began 25 years ago and termed communitization approach as a step further.
The programme was chaired by Director RD Nagaland Metsubo jamir.
Rapporteurs during the interactive forum were Jt. Director RD Blocks Kohima, C. Puro and Project officer DRDA Kohima, Andrew Aier while Director SIRD, Asenla Longchar chaired the programme.
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