Senior officers cautioned on leave violations, budget delays and account reconciliation ahead of Assembly session
The Nagaland government has raised concern over poor implementation of the State’s Vision 2030 roadmap, with Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen stating that only a few departments have actively pursued targets outlined in the document despite extensive consultations during its preparation.
Chairing the first 2026 meeting of Administrative Heads of Departments (AHoDs) and Heads of Departments (HoDs) at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat on Tuesday, the Chief Secretary said departments must take the Vision 2030 framework seriously and come prepared with concrete strategies and action plans aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the broader “Viksit Bharat” vision articulated by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
Imchen informed that his office would formally write to each department seeking clarity on progress and directed them to be prepared with implementation updates.
In addition to policy execution concerns, the Chief Secretary took serious note of reports that several AHoDs and HoDs have been leaving station without formally availing leave of absence. He reminded officers that AHoDs must obtain prior approval from the Chief Secretary before leaving station, while HoDs are required to seek permission from their respective Administrative Heads.
He also cautioned officers against attending workshops and meetings indiscriminately, stating that participation should be limited to programs directly relevant to departmental functioning to avoid disruption of administrative efficiency.
Budget preparedness ahead of the Assembly session also came under scrutiny.
Finance Commissioner Kesonyu Yhome informed the meeting that several departments are yet to submit materials for the Governor’s Address and Budget Speech despite the February deadline. He urged strict adherence to timelines and directed departments to ensure that budget presentations focus on new initiatives rather than repeating previously highlighted achievements.
Yhome further raised concern over delays in reconciliation of accounts, citing interactions with the Accountant General’s office. He said several issues that could have been resolved at the departmental level were being escalated unnecessarily due to lapses in timely account reconciliation, and directed departments to ensure their Accounts Sections remain updated.
Home Commissioner Abhijit Sinha stressed the importance of the presence of AHoDs and HoDs during Assembly and budget sessions, stating that accurate and timely departmental inputs are crucial when questions are tabled in the House.
The meeting reflected the government’s push for stricter administrative discipline, improved policy execution, and greater accountability from senior officers as the State prepares for the upcoming Assembly session and advances its long-term development roadmap.
