Dimapur, October 26 (DIPR): The new directorate building of Urban Development located near the Civil Secretariat will have the advantages of saving time and help the work culture and efficiency of the department in serving the people”, stated Minister for Urban Development & Higher Education, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu while inaugurating the new Directorate of Urban Development on October 26, 2010 at Kohima.
Speaking on the occasion, Shürhozelie said that the activities of the department is increasing day by day and added that one of the important programme is the urban infrastructure, development scheme under which the department has 82 towns which has an increasing fund allotted during the current year. He further added that there is heavy migration taking place from rural to urban areas and this has increased the urban population faster than expected, as such more towns are added to the existing list every year with more allocation of fund and this is becoming the main programme of the department. He therefore urged the department officers and staff to take care that the programme is implemented to the best interest of the public and complete the various projects on the given time.
The Minister also added that the department has now the additional responsibility of looking after the affairs of the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) inspite of manpower shortage, as there are now three Municipals and 16 Town Councils. This number will keep on increasing as per the increased urban population, he said. He further added that sooner or later, devolution of function and resources to the ULBs as envisaged in the 74th CAA will take place and since ULBs are placed under UDD, and should shoulder the responsibility and guide and advise the concerned authorities particularly in the context of the Constitution’s call for decentralized governance by Urban Local Bodies, and the consequent need to ensure that the ULBs have adequate administrative, financial and technical capacities to manage themselves. He later called upon the staff for proper management and maintenance of public assets, which has always been a challenge especially public building such as offices.
Short speech was also delivered by Director, Urban Development, Ken Keditsu. The programme was chaired by Norman Putsiire, IAS, Secretary Urban Development, while invocation was pronounced by Rev. Pusazo Chiizho and vote of thanks was proposed by Takatuba Aier, Joint Director, Urban Development.
