The United Sangtam Students’ Conference (USSC) has welcomed the upcoming visit of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to Kiphire Aspirational District.
In a press statement issued after inspecting the ongoing preparations ahead of the high-profile visit, the USSC expressed hope that it would bring “renewed focus to the developmental challenges faced by the district” and called on residents to extend their warmest welcome. It also urged the public to showcase the district’s hospitality and maintain cleanliness and order during the visit.
Acknowledging the ongoing efforts of the District Administration, the USSC appreciated the initiatives undertaken despite limited fund allocations. It also conveyed gratitude to the administration for undertaking repairs, such as filling potholes along key roads “as a quick remedy” as part of the preparatory work.
At the same time, the USSC expressed disappointment over the poor condition of circular roads in Kiphire, stating that the concerned departments had not taken adequate steps to maintain them despite prior notice of the Minister’s visit. It noted that such lapses reflect the broader challenges in departmental performance, which continue to affect Kiphire’s development status.
“It may be clarified that this is the attitude of various departments under Kiphire District where Kiphire is being placed in bottom line index of the non-performing category,” the USSC stated.
Appealing for immediate action, the USSC urged the concerned authorities to blacktop the circular roads of Kiphire district headquarters at the earliest possible time.
Reaffirming its support for the visit, the Conference assured full cooperation to ensure that the Union Finance Minister’s visit becomes a successful and joyful event for Kiphire district.
Kiphire resident questions accountability of Aspirational District Program funds
A resident of Kiphire has voiced strong frustration and disappointment over the lack of development in the district despite it being part of the Aspirational District Program (ADP) since 2018.
The concerned citizen, who wished to remain anonymous, questioned the status of the development funds allocated under the program, asking, “Where’s the good roads? Where’s the proper infrastructure? Where’s the good healthcare? Where’s the real development?”
The resident pointed out that despite Kiphire being among the 112 districts identified for the Aspirational District Program, it has made little progress and currently ranks 107 in the second delta ranking, placing it among the least performing districts in the country.
Blaming corruption and misuse of funds for the stagnation, the resident alleged that “Crores of the Aspirational funds have fallen into someone’s basket” and demanded accountability from the concerned authorities.
He also quoted AZ Phizo, saying, “Nagas will never surrender in the battlefield but many Nagas will fall when money is shot through the barrel of a gun,” to underline the damaging effects of corruption.
The resident further expressed concern that visible development activities in Kiphire often appear only before the visit of high-profile dignitaries, calling such efforts superficial and temporary.
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2018, the Aspirational District Program aims to accelerate the socio-economic development of 112 of India’s most underdeveloped districts by improving performance across five key sectors: Health and Nutrition, Education, Agriculture and Water Resources, Financial Inclusion and Skill Development, and Basic Infrastructure.
