Organized by the Municipal Affairs Department under the initiatives of the Regional Centre for Urban & Environmental Studies (Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, GoI), a capacity building on the 15th Finance Commission Grants for ULBs was held on 23rd September 2022 at the Conference Hall, Don Bosco Training Institute, Dimapur.

During the valedictory function, Advisor, Urban Development & Municipal Department, GoN, Dr. Neikiesalie Kire distributed the certificates and computer to the district's administrators. He assured them of support and said such training will continue in the coming days. He hoped that the trainees would play lead roles and put their knowledge to good use in their respective towns in dealing with the issues and undertakings.

During the training report presentation, Dr. K Srinivas, programme coordinator & FIC Saksham, informed that the function of MHUA is to understand the needs of Municipal Affairs, gaps in the implementation, and study flagship programmes. He said the hands-on training was practically designed to include theory and background on 15th FC in allocation to the Government of Nagaland in 39 ULBs.

Srinivas informed that the officers were made to understand the preconditions of the funds, how to improve the service level benchmark, and tied and untied grants. Also, each Municipality has gone through the city finance portal, and 10 city town plans were made. He hoped that the activities during the training will help them to work according to the needs of their Councils.

Sasipriya, PMU, O/o CDMA, GoT, Hyderabad; Prof. Kumar Molugaran, Director RCUES, OU and Prof. M Chenna Basavaiah, Adjunct Prof. Osmania University were the other resource persons. Altogether 73 participants from 39 ULBs attended the programme.

(Tovikali, IA Chumoukedima)