Chief Secretary, Sentiyanger Imchen, IAS, chaired a meeting of the Administrative Heads of Departments (AHoDs) and Heads of Departments (HoDs) at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Conference Hall, Kohima on November 11, 2026.

The meeting began with review of the minutes of the previous meeting, during which the Chief Secretary took stock of decisions taken, pending action points and the progress made by the concerned departments.

The Department of Power made a presentation on public resistance to the installation of smart meters under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). The department highlighted concerns over possible increases in electricity bills, the prevailing practice of paying fixed minimum or average bills, and public demands for reliable power supply. It also informed that Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) across the districts have been spearheading the opposition to the installation of smart meters.

The department stated that the project, scheduled for completion by February 2027, has witnessed slow progress due to continued public resistance. It sought the support of the State Government, district administrations and law enforcement agencies to facilitate implementation and prevent obstruction of the scheme.

Taking note of the challenges, the Chief Secretary directed the Department of Power to prepare a Cabinet memorandum outlining the measures required to address the issue. He asked the department to incorporate suggestions from all concerned departments, district administrations, police and other relevant agencies to ensure a coordinated approach. He stressed that the rule of law must prevail and called upon all departments to work collectively towards the effective implementation of government programmes.

The meeting also deliberated on the proposal of PWD (Housing) for the construction of ramps and covered walkway sheds at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat to improve public accessibility, at an estimated cost of ₹561.23 lakh. The Chief Secretary emphasised that the proposed infrastructure would provide greater convenience to the public, particularly pedestrians accessing the Secretariat during the rainy season. He clarified that the expenditure was proposed to be met from the unspent balance of the one-day salary contribution made earlier by government employees towards relief efforts, rather than from the regular government budget, and sought the concurrence of members for utilisation of the available funds.

On the upcoming mass social work scheduled for November 13, 2026, the Chief Secretary called for active participation from all departments in the statewide cleanliness drive, emphasising that the initiative should extend beyond Kohima and district headquarters to villages across the State.

He directed all district officers, including those posted at the sub-divisional level, to coordinate closely with their respective district administrations to ensure effective conduct of the programme. Departments were asked to mobilise their manpower and resources and undertake cleaning activities in the stretches allotted to them. Departments having heavy vehicles and other equipment were also requested to place them at the disposal of the Deputy Commissioners to facilitate the collection, transportation and proper disposal of waste.

The Chief Secretary further directed all HoDs to communicate the instructions to their respective district and subordinate offices. He called for particular attention to the removal of construction materials and other obstructions along highways and roads, especially in Kohima, Dimapur and Chümoukedima. He also informed that the mass social work would be closely monitored by the Commissioner’s Office.

The Chief Secretary also highlighted the guidelines issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) regarding diplomatic protocol and engagement with foreign diplomatic missions. He advised all departments to strictly adhere to the prescribed procedures, stating that official engagements and proposed visits by foreign diplomats or representatives of diplomatic missions must be routed through the Ministry of External Affairs and undertaken only with its express approval.

He clarified that visits by foreign nationals in their individual capacity would be treated differently, while official visits as representatives of their respective countries must follow the prescribed diplomatic protocol. He urged all departments to take note of the guidelines to ensure consistency in official communication and diplomatic engagements.

The members were also briefed on the PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) platform and the review meetings chaired by the Prime Minister. The presentation highlighted the monthly review mechanism involving district, state and central-level reviews, followed by action tracking through eSamiksha. Emphasis was laid on timely submission of responses and Action Taken Reports (ATRs), effective inter-departmental coordination and prompt resolution of implementation bottlenecks.

Development Commissioner Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS, also made a PowerPoint presentation on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Viksit Nagaland@2047 and distressed projects, highlighting the need for coordinated departmental efforts, effective monitoring and timely implementation to achieve the State’s development objectives.

(Esuihangle, IA)