Mokokchung, 5 November (MTNews): The Mokokchung District GB Association (MDGBA) had a coordination meeting with the GBs of Tuli Area in Tuli Town on November 4. The coordination meeting was attended by GBs from sixteen villages and Tuli town area led by Langpangkong GB officials and Head GB Tuli, an update received here said.
MDGBA president Along Jamir in his address said that the GB institution is one of the oldest institutions established during the British era and that they are government appointees who are inducted after taking oath but there are no salaries for GBs.
He said that GB’s role is recognized in village administration as per the directive of Commissioner Nagaland dated 28 October 2023.
He added that GBs are active members in the village-level customary court as per the provision of the Village Council Act 1978 and are empowered to act as law enforcement agencies as enshrined in the administration of the Justice and Police Act of 1937.
GBs are to assist the government in times of election, census, and any important programs/ activities of the government.
As per the letter from the Commissioner of Nagaland Dated 28th October 2023, it was stated that GBs are being neglected/ sidelined in the functioning of Village Council/Village Development Board (VDBs) which does not bode well for District Administration and this should not have happened considering their indispensable role in the village.
He said the Commissioner, therefore, made it clear to the Village Councils in the letter that GBs should not be sidelined but rather they should be made an integral part in the decision-making and in the functioning of village councils including developmental activities
The MDGBA president also said GBs are at the forefront in any given difficult situation; therefore, the “Red cloth” is not a mere piece of cloth but it represents the authority and responsibility of GB to be unbiased in its judgment and discharge their duties wisely.
He also requested his fellow GBs to uphold and preserve GB ethics and ethos at the highest esteem and earn people’s respect from their works and actions.
He said that GBs is the only association where there is no distinction among the Naga tribes and remains the only institution without any division; therefore, he appealed to his fellow GBs to unite to work for the uplift and welfare of Naga society.
During the interactive session, some suggested that there should be clear cut guidelines regarding the powers and functions between the Village Council and urban area ward authorities.
The MDGBA president clarified that the GBs’ powers and functions have been bestowed by the authority, therefore, they should know their duties and function and act accordingly.
He also urged the GBs to maintain cordial relationships with the administration and the public, and that every communiqué from the Government should be initiated by the GBs accordingly.
Mokokchung District GB Association was led by its president Along Jamir, General Secretary Imlitemsu, Finance Secretary Temjen and Ongpangkong area GB Secretary Merang.
This was stated in a press release from the Mokokchung District GB Association.