Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang, who also serves as the Minister-in-charge of the Planning & Transformation Department, has instructed all departments to strictly adhere to the timeline outlined in the Calendar of Action for Developmental Activities 2024-25, issued by the Planning & Transformation Department. The directive was given during a review meeting with all Administrative Heads of Departments (AHODs) and Heads of Departments (HODs) at the Secretariat Conference Hall in Kohima on September 19, 2024.
Zeliang emphasized the immediate submission of proposals for all developmental activities funded under the State Plan, including negotiated loans from financial institutions. He clarified that the practice of granting Planning Clearance with conditions such as “Subject to approval of” or “Ex-post facto approval” would no longer be accepted.
Zeliang also stressed the timely submission of departmental programs to be undertaken in the upcoming financial year, so that the Planning Department has sufficient time to review the proposals and allocate the sectoral outlay to maximize the effectiveness of the programs.
For programs and schemes under the Agriculture & Allied Sector, the Deputy Chief Minister urged implementing departments to secure sanctions for their programs between December and January, allowing work to commence in April, which is the ideal time for agricultural-related activities. He stated that for infrastructural and other developmental activities, sanctions should be granted by June-July, so that tendering and other formalities can be completed by August-September, ensuring work can proceed in full swing by October-November, the ideal working period.
Zeliang also pointed out delays in the submission of required information by various departments, with some submissions arriving significantly past deadlines despite repeated reminders. He called on all departments to streamline their data management systems, ensuring that queries and information sought at any time could be responded to within minutes.
The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the need to transform the working system for the state’s development and called on all departments of the State Government to cooperate and actively participate.
The review meeting was chaired by Commissioner & Secretary Kitto Zhimomi and was attended by AHODs and HODs.