The District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) meeting for the month of January 2026 was held on January 14th at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall, Zunheboto. The meeting was held under the chairpersonship and vice-chairmanship DPDB Deputy Commissioner, Zunheboto, Dharam Raj, IAS.
The meeting began with the Deputy Commissioner welcoming new members of the board and encouraging all departments to begin the year with strong intent, motivation and zeal for the overall development of the district.
A key agenda of the meeting was a follow-up discussion on the previous DPDB decision regarding the formation of the New Era Educational Society. Chairman Otto Yepthomi briefed the board about the society’s objectives, highlighting its initiatives in training teachers and students. During the discussion, the Deputy Commissioner raised pertinent questions regarding the expertise the society brings, its prior experience, and the source of funds for day-to-day activities. He advised that the society should focus on honing skills and expertise based on prior work experience and emphasized that funding sources should not rely solely on government support. He also noted that several societies are already working in the education sector and stressed the importance of bringing diversity in the formation of societies within the district.
The meeting also deliberated on preparations for the upcoming 77th Republic Day celebrations in ZUNHEBOTO district, roles and responsibilities of various departments were discussed to ensure smooth and coordinated observance of the national event.
In another significant initiative, the Deputy Commissioner encouraged all Heads of Offices to adopt at least one village each to bring tangible changes at the grassroots level. It was decided that progress would be reviewed after one year, and discussions were held on possible criteria for village adoption.
On the health front, District Programme Officer (Communicable Diseases), Dr. Mlato, informed the board that there are currently 35 tuberculosis (TB) cases in Zunheboto district, out of which three patients are suffering from multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) as of 2026. He urged DPDB members and departments to extend support to TB patients under the Ni-Kshay Mitra initiative of the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA). The initiative encourages individuals, community volunteers, and organizations to adopt TB patients by providing nutritional support, supplements, or vocational assistance for a minimum period of six months to help in eliminating the disease.
The meeting concluded with a call for collective responsibility and coordinated efforts among all departments to accelerate development and improve the quality of life in Zunheboto district.
(Sepikiu S Sangtam, IA Zunheboto)
