Nagaland sets state-wide mass social work for Nov. 13

KOHIMA – The Nagaland government will hold a state-wide mass social work on Friday, Nov. 13, from 6 a.m., with all shops and business establishments to remain shut till noon, according to a Home Department notification issued on Monday.

The drive is meant “to ensure cleanliness, hygiene and beautification of public places and areas” ahead of the festive season and the Hornbill Festival, the notification dated Nov. 2 said. It was issued under the name of Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen and signed by Principal Secretary (Home) Abhijit Sinha.

All government employees, urban local bodies, village councils, civil society organisations, local associations and the general public are expected to take part.

Deputy commissioners in charge

Deputy commissioners will be in overall charge of the exercise in their districts. Each must prepare a detailed, location-wise work plan that assigns areas to government offices, urban local bodies, civil society organisations and village authorities, and send it to the Home Department through the Office of the Commissioner, Nagaland, by Nov. 7.

Every department, office or agency given a location must arrange its own manpower and disposal trucks, working with the district administration and urban local bodies. The notification makes the assigned office “wholly responsible” for cleaning and disposal in its area, including any unfinished work that spills over to the next day. All waste and debris collected must be taken to designated disposal sites.

Towns and villages

In urban areas, municipal and town councils will lead and supervise the work through their councillors, in coordination with the district administration, and are tasked with ensuring maximum public participation. In villages and rural areas, village councils will plan and carry out the work with local administrative officers.

Shops to shut till noon

The notification calls for a shutter-down of all shops and business establishments till 12 noon on Nov. 13 “to facilitate carrying out the mass social work”. It said the local authorities concerned would issue the necessary orders.

Police and departments asked to help

The Director General of Police has been asked to direct the Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, superintendents of police and commandants to coordinate with district administrations and provide personnel, police trucks and other vehicles for the drive.

The Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Department has been asked to instruct all municipal and town councils to take full part, while heads of departments have been asked to deploy staff and provide trucks, tools, equipment and machinery in the districts.

The Department of Information and Public Relations will publicise the drive through All India Radio, Doordarshan, print media and public address announcements. Also Read Rs 3 lakh is not enough for the Dr T Ao Trophy

The Hornbill Festival, Nagaland’s largest annual cultural event, is usually held from Dec. 1 to 10 at Kisama Heritage Village near Kohima and draws visitors from across India and abroad.