On 2nd March 2022, the new office building of the Directorate of Municipal Affairs in Kohima was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio in the presence of Advisor, Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire, and other dignitaries.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio congratulated the Municipal Affairs Department for introducing the building bylaws for the common people. Rio hoped that the new building will boost the morale and working atmosphere of the officers and staff to provide better service to the people. He said there is a mad rush for urbanization and unless we have a system to regulate it and have modern town planning, including building bylaws, it will not be liveable. Rio further said that unless there is an improvement in modern technical aspects in the towns and cities, the state cannot progress. A few things among the technical aspects are women reservation and urban taxations. He further said that there should be a realization about how everyone wants to keep up with urbanization but traditional village systems are still used in towns.
The Chief Minister also said women should be part and parcel of the decision-making body. With regards to tax, he said that the urban local bodies and the finance commission have to impose taxes for the facilities that are provided to the public for development. He requested the Department to go all over the towns and interact with the local leaders regarding the issue of tax. Rio also asked the government to identify places around towns to build farmers' markets to reduce the congestion in urban areas. He said there should not only be an imitation of ideas but also a creation of innovative ideas to improve the livability of the State. He asked the government as a whole and the public to help and participate with the Department to increase the quality of living in the State.
Dr. Neikiesalie, in his speech, thanked Chief Minister Rio for honoring the department by agreeing to inaugurate the new office building and also thanked the other Ministers and Advisor for gracing the inaugural program.
Kire stated that Municipal Affairs is an important department and with the inauguration of the new building the officers and staff will be able to work more efficiently. He informed that provisions are also kept for an emergency exit route, fire emergency issues, lifts, and ramps for differently-abled persons so that the office will be more convenient for the public.
The Chairperson of the function was Principal Secretary, UD&MA I. Himato Zhimomi. The technical report was given by Addl. Chief Engineer, Urban Engineering Wing, Er. Kevide Nakhro and Jt. Director, MA, Solesul Tholre gave the vote of thanks.
(I. Tiakumla Ao & Takumpula, IA)
