Advisor, Industries & Commerce, and Chairperson DPDB Dimapur, Hekani Jakhalu addresses the Board meeting held at DC's Conference Hall, Dimapur on September 23. (DIPR Photo)
Dimapur, September 23 (MExN): The segregation of waste at source is below 10 per cent in Dimapur district, informed Deputy Commissioner Dr Tinojongshi Chang during the monthly meeting of the District Planning & Development Board (DPDB), Dimapur, on September 23.
Discussing the Solid Waste Management Rules 2026, under which the district administration had been entrusted with monitoring sanitation through monthly online reporting, he called upon all DPDB members to incorporate sanitation awareness into departmental programmes and village outreach activities.
DC Chang also proposed that the Dimapur Municipal Council and East Dimapur Town Council make a presentation at the next DPDB meeting on waste management practices, challenges and measures required to improve segregation and achieve sanitation targets.
Chairing the meeting, Advisor, Industries & Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu Kense, stressed that sanitation is a shared responsibility and called for collective action from government departments, urban local bodies and citizens to make Dimapur cleaner and healthier.
She urged government servants to go beyond their assigned duties and contribute towards improving cleanliness, particularly during the monsoon season when flooding and poor waste disposal become major concerns.
The Advisor also noted that clogged drains and indiscriminate waste dumping had worsened sanitation challenges, affecting the environment, public health and quality of life. She urged all departments to make sustained efforts towards a cleaner district.
Hostel verification and other issues
As per the State DIPR, the meeting also discussed private students’ hostels, TB Mukt Bharat, Reform Utsav and other issues.
Concerning private students’ hostels, a proposal for district-wide verification, registration and joint inspection of private students’ hostels was discussed following observations and recommendations by a vigilance committee constituted under the Naga Council, Dimapur.
The committee reportedly found lapses in some hostels, including the absence of clear operational guidelines, unrestricted student movement and instances of boys and girls being accommodated within the same compound.
The District Education Officer (DEO) informed that there was currently no specific School Education Department regulation governing private hostels.
Applications were processed through field verification and No Objection Certificates, but there was no systematic mechanism for maintaining records or conducting periodic inspections.
The DEO said the department had sought regulations from the Principal Director, School Education, and suggested verification of existing hostels.
Members raised concerns over safety, supervision, hygiene and hostel environments, stressing the need for clear regulations and a standard checklist.
The DPDB decided to take up the matter with the concerned departments and work towards establishing appropriate guidelines for the registration, verification and inspection of private students’ hostels in Dimapur.
The Board discussed Reform Utsav, a citizen-centric initiative involving 21 departments to promote grassroots participation, identify grievances and implement actionable governance reforms.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Dr Diana Patton informed that the campaign will commence on October 2, with departments currently conducting grassroots awareness activities and aligning efforts with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets.
Following a presentation on TB Mukt Bharat by the District Tuberculosis Officer, Dimapur, Patton called for greater participation from government departments and all sections of society to support people undergoing TB treatment, particularly in high-burden areas.
She urged government officers to encourage their departments to voluntarily provide nutritional and other necessary support.
Advisor Kense, meanwhile, suggested taking the initiative department-wise, with Heads of Departments encouraging voluntary participation among staff.
ADC Patton added that the initiative is open to government employees, elected representatives, businesses, CSOs, churches, NGOs, youth and student groups, SHGs and others. Contribution forms were distributed, with a minimum contribution of Rs 500 for six months to support TB patients.
The meeting emphasised collective responsibility and wider community participation towards supporting TB patients and contributing to the goal of a TB-free India, the State DIPR added.
DC Chang informed that a blood donation drive will be held at Emmanuel College on October 1. He also said subsidised onions at Rs 35 per kg are being sold in Dimapur through MARCOFED under the Price Stabilization Fund initiative and urged people to avail the opportunity.
