April 10, Kohima: The Deputy Commissioners Conference 2026 began today at the Civil Secretariat in Kohima, with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio calling on district administrators to act as drivers of transformation in a more citizen-centric and technology-driven governance system.
In his keynote address, Mr. Rio said the role of Deputy Commissioners has evolved from primarily regulatory to development-oriented, with a strong focus on last-mile delivery of welfare schemes, coordination across departments, and effective grievance redressal.
He described the conference as timely and necessary to reflect on both the traditional and emerging responsibilities of DCs in an increasingly dynamic governance landscape.
He stressed the need to balance law and order responsibilities with development administration.
Among other things, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of accurate data in the upcoming digital Census 2027 and the role of DCs as Principal Census Officers. He urged DCs to ensure transparency and credibility in the exercise.
The Chief Minister further called for close coordination with Village and Tribal Councils, particularly in implementing the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland, to safeguard the rights of genuine beneficiaries.
Mr. Rio called on DCs to shift towards a governance model that goes beyond schemes and dependency, to one that is rooted in outcomes, accountability, and tangible impact on people’s lives.
He further emphasised upon moving forward with clarity, commitment, and purpose to make governance efficient, empathetic, inclusive and impactful.
The two-day conference brings together DCs and senior officials to deliberate on key governance and development issues in the state, focused on strengthening governance, service delivery, and inclusive development across Nagaland.
