The United Sangtam Students’ Conference (USSC) has raised serious concern over what it described as a “widespread culture of administrative absenteeism” in Kiphire district, following surprise inspections conducted on May 25 and 26, 2026.
In a press release, the USSC said it observed “alarming levels of absenteeism among several senior government officials,” adding that the trend continues to undermine governance, public service delivery and the developmental aspirations of the Aspirational District under NITI Aayog.
Highlighting structural governance issues, the Conference identified what it termed a “DPDB-centric administration,” alleging that several Heads of Departments (HoDs) reside outside the district in Dimapur and Kohima and visit Kiphire only during monthly District Planning and Development Board meetings and select official programmes. “Such a practice weakens governance, limits accessibility, and defeats the purpose of district-level administration,” it stated.
The USSC also pointed to what it called “signature tourism and administrative inefficiency,” stating that subordinate staff are often compelled to travel outside the district to obtain signatures and approvals from absentee officers. This, it said, results in wastage of public resources, financial burden on lower-ranking employees, and delays in implementation of government schemes.
The Conference has formally petitioned the Deputy Commissioner of Kiphire and urged the Government of Nagaland to verify the findings and initiate appropriate action against officials allegedly violating service rules. It further cited Fundamental Rule 17(1), noting that unauthorized absence attracts the principle of “No Work, No Pay.”
Warning of further steps, the USSC stated that if the matter remains unaddressed, it reserves the right to pursue legal remedies, including approaching the Gauhati High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution through a writ of mandamus to ensure discharge of public duties.
While demanding accountability, the USSC also acknowledged infrastructural constraints faced by officers in remote postings and proposed reforms. These include the introduction of biometric attendance and geo-fencing systems linked to salary disbursement, development of an officers’ residential colony in Kiphire, and establishment of a quarterly joint monitoring and review mechanism comprising district administration, civil society organisations and student bodies.
The Conference urged that the proposed residential colony be completed at the earliest to address genuine accommodation challenges, while cautioning that such constraints “do not justify the rampant absence and inefficiency.”
Reiterating its stance, the USSC said, “The development of Kiphire cannot and must not be held hostage to the convenience of a few,” adding that public office is a position of trust, responsibility and service. It also stated its willingness to coordinate with departments and stakeholders to address grievances and improve service delivery in the district.
“Public office is a public trust. Those entrusted with the responsibility to serve must also be willing to be present,” the release concluded.