20 non-functional ULBs out of 39 in Nagaland: Zhaleo

July 30, 2023 17 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 30

Out of the 39 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Nagaland, 20 are non-functional, said the Advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Zhaleo Rio. Zhaleo made the remark while inaugurating the office of the East Dimapur Town Council (EDTC) in Purana Bazaar, Dimapur, on July 29, which, till recently was operating without a proper office. The EDTC as a representative local body is sub-divided into 11 wards.

As self-governing bodies, ULBs are expected to function autonomously, but in Nagaland, several towns with notified ULBs lack the means to thrive independently.

While the list of the non-functional ULBs was not divulged, Zhaleo attributed the reason for the inoperative ULBs to factors like low population and little to no means for revenue generation, besides the stopping of funding from the Centre for the state withholding elections to the ULBs. According to him, in some, the ULBs have no functioning office, while some are operating from makeshift offices.

As opposed to the predicament faced by the ULBs in other districts, he held that the EDTC, with its location in a flourishing business area, has the right environment to thrive. On that note, he sought the cooperation of the residents and the local leaders.

While terming civic sense as an essential to a thriving ULB, he said that the residents are as much responsible for waste management.

He further claimed that the state government is seriously pursuing the enactment of a new municipal law for which public consultations will begin soon.

The programme had also in attendance, the Advisor for Industries & Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu, who represents the 3 Dimapur III Assembly seat, under which the EDTC falls. Jakhalu placed emphasis on the role of grassroots leaders for the successful working of a ULB like the EDTC. She maintained that leadership does not only imply power alone but also responsibility and a duty to the community.

2 ULBs in a compact area
The formation of a ULB would generally be regarded as a move for improving urban living space. However, it comes with added expenses not only for the government but also the public and businesses, in terms of additional tolls, particularly in a compact area like Dimapur.

Following the inauguration, Zhaleo was queried on this and whether the government even considered incorporating the EDTC into the existing Dimapur Municipal Council on the lines of a ‘Municipal Corporation.’ He justified the move stating that the area undeniably has the population. He likened the move to the carving of new districts for administrative convenience. It was done with a view to manage “our garbage better and provide better services to the citizens. There is no other motive,” he said.

At present, the EDTC is said to be functioning with skeleton ministerial staff under one Administrator. He skirted question on excess ministerial staff in the Dimapur Municipal Council. As opposed to staff shortfall in the EDTC, the DMC has over 400 employees under its payroll against a sanctioned strength or requirement of 260.

On the revenue crisis the DMC is facing since the banning of toll collection in the check-gates, Zhaleo said that he is pursuing for its re-opening.