The District Planning and Development Board meeting for the month of August was held on 7th August 2025 at DC's conference hall, Zunheboto, under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner and Vice Chairman, DPDB, Dharam Raj, IAS.
The meeting began with a welcome to the newly inducted board member. Following this, key agendas were discussed, including the proposal for registration of the Suruhuto Area Sports Association (SASA) as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, which was approved and forwarded for onward procedures.
Furthermore, agenda on the proposal forwarded by Zunheboto Government College to introduce new academic programs, including a Sociology Department, Education Honours, an Integrated B.Ed. course, and a Science stream. Principal of Zunheboto Government College, Dr. R. Bendangtemjen, emphasized that the appointment of teachers should precede these developments, stating that once teachers are appointed, students will eventually come and enroll. He also appealed to the Department to assist fifth-semester students with their mandatory 60-hour internship program under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP), as it is now a compulsory component of the curriculum. He also highlighted the deplorable road conditions of the college campus, which is making it difficult for both the students and teachers to commute to classes.
President, Sumi Hoho, Dr Vihuto Asumi expressed his utmost concern over the frequent attachment of faculty members from Zunheboto Government College to other institutions, weakening the faculty strength of only Government Arts College in the district. He shared with floor that although a formal representation on the issue has already been submitted to the concerned department on 16th May 2025, no actions have yet been initiated. He further stressed on the discontentment on other issues such as transfer of the teaching faculties.
Furthermore, Dr. Asumi, while highlighting the socioeconomic challenges faced by students, pointed out that most students at the college come from underprivileged backgrounds and thus cannot afford to study elsewhere. Three faculty members have already been transferred, two from the History department and one from Education, which he stated was deeply concerning.
Responding to the concerns, Deputy Commissioner, Dharam Raj IAS assured the Board that steps shall be taken to address the issue. The DC implored that the practice of attachment must be stopped and instead work to induct more qualified teachers must be taken up, He said that political leaders are not solely to be blamed; the issues must be examined from the grassroots level thus ensuring merit-based appointments.
The DC stressed that public service should not be deprived or compromised. If one cannot fulfill their duties, they have every right to resign. They cannot play with the lives of our students. Accreditation can wait, what matters first is the quality of education, to get more points in the accreditation assessment teachers going for study leave for further studies despite college grappling with limited faculty is not fair for our students.
The meeting also discussed the distribution of departmental responsibilities for the upcoming 79th Independence Day celebrations.
A PowerPoint presentation was delivered by the Land Resources Department, Zunheboto, highlighting various activities and schemes, including the e-Shram scheme for Nagaland’s building and construction workers, scholarships for children, medical assistance, and the verification of labor beneficiaries.
It was announced that the next departmental presentation will be presented by the Urban Development Department.
(DPRO & IA Zunheboto)
