Understanding Local Self Governance in Nagaland

October 10, 2017 27030 Views No Comment

5.1.3 Role of Village Development Boards in Development

The Village Development Boards are involved in all phases of developmental activities as a part of their responsibilities. These include receipt of allocation of funds, selection of beneficiaries or schemes, monitoring of progress of works & expenditure and completion of schemes. The book keeping of accounts of all Village Development Board is mandatory, open and subject to any audit of its account. Funds are available in the form of grants to all 1083 recognized villages through the Village Development Boards. The allocation is made on the basis of number of households of every village in proportion to the size of each village to ensure that each citizen of the Sate is equally involved and provided for in all rural development activities. The funds released are being collectively pooled for implementation of the schemes for the benefit of the entire community

The Village Development Boards are supposed to be the main grassroots authority through which devolution of power, decentralized planning and development are to be implemented. During General Body Meeting of the Village Development Board, expressions of interests are called and projects planned according to the guidelines provided by the government. The selection, implementation and monitoring of all rural development schemes at the community level are under the purview of the Management Committee of the Village Development Board. Funds from different state and central schemes15 pooled are directly released and deposited into individual Village Development Board accounts in the village. Such accounts are jointly operated by the Chief Executive Officer, DRDA; Project Director, DRDA and the Secretary of the Village Development Board concerned.