The first consultative meeting on capacity building of Village Level Functionaries (VLFs) was held at the Administrative Training Institute (ATI), Nagaland, Kohima, on August 28, with nearly 50 representatives from seven districts participating.
Village Council Chairmen, VDB Secretaries and representatives of village-level authorities from Tuensang, Peren, Phek, Wokha, Tseminyu, Chümoukedima and Kohima attended the programme. Officials from various departments also participated as resource members and presented information on government schemes and programmes.
Addressing the inaugural session, Additional Chief Secretary and Director General, ATI, V. Shashank Shekhar, IAS, highlighted the important role of VLFs in ensuring that government schemes reach their intended beneficiaries. He said VLFs also serve as a vital link between the government and villagers by disseminating information and facilitating coordination.
He noted that with a significant proportion of Nagaland’s population living in villages, effective grassroots-level implementation was essential. He also highlighted the role of villages in sustaining the state’s traditions and culture.
Shekhar encouraged participants to share suggestions and use the discussions to identify practical challenges and improve delivery of government programmes at the village level.
The inaugural session was chaired by P&AR Deputy Secretary Asalie Lese, NCS. Additional Director, ATI, Bendanglila, NCS, presented an overview of the VLF capacity-building programme.
Representatives from various departments made presentations, followed by panel discussions where participants raised queries and shared feedback on the dissemination and implementation of government schemes and services.