Replication of Models
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: October 24 2015 -
The Government of India is planning to replicate the hugely successful Village Development Board (VDB) originally conceptualized and tested in Nagaland in other states of the country.
The Prime Minister’s Office sources said that the Centre is planning to emulate the concept and apply it to prosperous states like Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu etc.
Here, it is worth mentioning that the VDB model in Nagaland covers about 1,455 villages. It gives the village councils an opportunity to decide on the areas to be prioritised for development.
Over the years, observers have felt that it has had a major impact on rural development by making villages self-sufficient and has kept development within reach of the common people.
It has been reported that the VDB concept of Nagaland is being assessed for its suitability in other states.
The assessment project has reached a crucial stage and a decision on its implementation in other states would be taken as soon as a full-fledged report is presented to and authorised by the Prime Minister of India.
The assessment is in its last stages and parts of it with feedback from Naga villages have reached the corridors of powers in New Delhi.
It is said that the model will be assimilated into one whole programme for the entire country and Nagaland’s current set of guidelines and procedure will be modified, if need be.
Those responsible for its assessment had also exuded confidence that the overall implementation of the concept will reduce the deep gaps along caste, language, culture and other lines at the national level.
It may be noted that the Panchayati Raj system was also inspired by the VDB concept, formulated by AM Gokhale when he was Deputy Commissioner Phek during the mid-1970s. It was later replicated in other districts.
With special emphasis given on decentralization and local governance as basic components of democratic order, it has been often felt that a body like the VDB not only provide easy decision making process but also service delivery system.
While the Government of India mulls over replicating the VDB in other parts of the country, the primary objective of decentralization should not be shrugged off as empowering the village means bridging the gap between the ruled and the ruler.
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