Zunheboto has “not developed at the desired pace”, Deputy Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly S Toiho Yeptho said on Monday, as Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav reviewed the functioning of the district administration and received representations on a range of development and social concerns affecting the district.
Yeptho made the observation while delivering the vote of thanks at the Governor’s official visit to the district headquarters, expressing hope that government schemes and programmes would reach the grassroots and bring further progress and development to Zunheboto.
The Governor, meanwhile, called for stronger “last-mile delivery of government services”, particularly in remote areas, saying the district administration is the face of government for ordinary citizens.
A key concern in his address was the quality and durability of roads. Yadav stressed that “road quality must improve so that the same stretches do not require repeated expenditure”, while calling for stronger coordination between departments to resolve delayed projects within clear timelines.
Describing Zunheboto as the “Land of Warriors”, Yadav said the district has significant potential in agriculture, forests, human resources and tourism.
On education, he called for greater attention to learning outcomes, teacher and student attendance, retention and transition to higher education or vocational opportunities, particularly in remote schools. In healthcare, he stressed the need for functional personnel, medicines, equipment and diagnostic facilities at the District Hospital, CHCs, PHCs and Sub-Centres.
On agriculture, the Governor called for a shift from a predominantly subsidy-oriented approach towards productivity, value addition, market linkages and stronger farmer organisations.
He also stressed that electricity, drinking water, roads and digital access are essential to development and called for stronger inter-departmental coordination to address delayed projects.
The Sümi Hoho submitted a four-point representation to the Governor covering the Naga political issue, the upgradation of Hezukhu Memorial District Hospital, the proposed Showuba-Pangsha East-West Corridor, and concerns relating to Vande Mataram and religious sensitivities.
On the Naga political issue, the Hoho referred to the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015, and the Agreed Position of November 17, 2017, urging the Government of India to bring the long-pending issue to a final, honourable, inclusive and mutually acceptable conclusion.
The Hoho sought the upgradation of Hezukhu Memorial District Hospital from 75 to 100 beds, along with adequate doctors, nurses, medicines, equipment, diagnostic facilities and infrastructure.
On connectivity, it highlighted the proposed Showuba-Pangsha East-West Corridor through Zunheboto towards Shamator, saying it would improve connectivity between western, central and eastern Nagaland and strengthen economic and social integration.
On Vande Mataram, the Hoho affirmed respect for the National Song and national symbols while pointing to religious imagery in some later stanzas and seeking consideration for the faith and conscience of all communities in official protocols.
The Sümi Kükami Hoho stressed the continuing importance of the Kükami institution among nearly 400 Sümi villages and sought consultation with traditional institutions when policies or decisions affect customary rights.
The Zunheboto Area Public Organisation raised youth unemployment and substance abuse as major concerns, calling for greater investment in education, sports, skills and vocational training. It also sought timely completion of road projects and stronger support for farming in the Tizu river basin through better market access, technology, irrigation and storage.
Yadav also highlighted the tourism potential of Satoi Wildlife Sanctuary and Ghosü Wildlife Bird Sanctuary, calling for sustainable development involving local youth through homestays, cultural experiences and other community-based initiatives.
He called for district-level dashboards to monitor key development indicators and improve accountability, while stressing that digital governance should not exclude citizens with limited access to digital services.
The Governor called on officers to remain accessible, responsive and accountable and stressed that government programmes must produce visible results on the ground.