District Committee Reviews Participatory Planning for Village Prosperity

A District Level Core Committee meeting on the Village Prosperity Resilience Plan (VPRP) 2027–28 was held at the DC Conference Hall in Kohima on Thursday, focusing on participatory and people-centred development planning. Deputy Commissioner Kohima, B. Henok Buchem, stressed that the VPRP should go beyond being a planning document and ensure genuine community needs are translated into effective implementation and tangible outcomes. He called for stronger convergence among line departments and urged stakeholders to incorporate emerging priorities into their action plans. State Project Coordinator D. Elow explained the multi-level process of preparing the VPRP, involving Self-Help Groups, Village Organisations and Gram Panchayat or Village Council levels, while highlighting the role of line departments in providing scheme information, technical support and assistance to community-based organisations. District Functional Specialists Khriezhatuo Khezhie and Vilalhounuo Solo presented on non-farm livelihood activities in Kohima district. The meeting also reviewed livelihood initiatives, challenges and opportunities for convergence among departments including Health and Family Welfare, Agriculture, Social Welfare, Rural Development and Animal Husbandry. Buchem further called for effective mobilisation through special Gram Sabhas to educate villagers, identify genuine priorities and ensure that suitable proposals are incorporated into the VPRP and aligned with the Gram Panchayat Development Plan.