In what could be described as one of the first major initiatives under the newly elected Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC), the Commissioner and Secretary of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Kekhrievor Kevichusa, IPoS, unveiled the plaque of the MMC Old Town Hall Bazaar in Sangtemla Ward on November 2.
The Commissioner & Secretary, who was accompanied by a host of department officials, also inspected the revamped MMC office and the newly installed 5.0 KV solar panels which were funded by a one-time grant provided by the department.
The refurbished MMC Old Town Hall Bazaar is envisaged to be a ‘mixed bazaar’, a deviation from what was initially intended to be an exclusive meat market.
The Commissioner & Secretary, Kevichusa, expressed satisfaction at the functioning of the MMC and touted it as an ‘exemplary’ ULB. He also acknowledged that the MMC, earlier known as Mokokchung Town Committee (MTC) established in 1959, predates the state.
He also conveyed a message from the Advisor of Advisor of Urban Development Department & Municipal Affairs Department, Zhaleo Rio, that now that the ULB elections have been peacefully conducted, the elected body is not the official arm of the government at the lowest but most intimate tier of governance. “Don’t ignore those who has come before us in the past, don’t try to ride roughshod over those unions and organizations that have always been taking care of ULBs in the past, that councilors will also have to work unitedly with the people who have gone before them. He also wanted to assure that the government is always with you for any progressive work,” Rio conveyed through Kevichusa.
Stating that the grant committed by the 15th Finance Commission is going to be depleted on 2025-26 FY, the Commissioner & Secretary said that their main source of income for the ULBs should be through the internal revenue raised apart from the grants they receive from the Finance Commission and State Government from time to time.
He also lauded the MMC for judicious utilization of the funds allocated to them, adding that it was exemplary and inspiring for other ULBS in the state.
He, however, assured the ULBs that the government would continue working for the upliftment of the towns through the ULBs, with more devolution of power and functions entrusted to them as they mature and build trust with the state government.
He also said the people deserved a better quality of life, but they should accept the reality that if the government provides services, there must be a nominal service charge. For that to happen, there needs to be extensive interaction and information sharing by the ULBs.
In this regard, he advised the MMC Councilors not to impose taxes directly on the people but to first engage in publicity, hold face-to-face interactions, and seek cooperation from the public before determining appropriate charges.