Kohima, Nagaland, March 7 (HBTV): Responding to discussions in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on the issue of the unchecked growth of social organizations in Nagaland, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio acknowledged the concerns raised by members and stressed the need for better regulation and accountability.

The chief minister noted that Nagaland, with no centralised governance structure, has seen an unchecked rise in societies: 7,952 registered to date, with many failing to renew their registration. While societies play a crucial role in community welfare, the lack of oversight has led to duplication, misuse of resources, and unregulated activities.

“Our society thrives on traditions, community-driven initiatives, and cultural celebrations. However, without proper regulation, the increasing number of societies can become a challenge rather than a benefit,” he stated.

He highlighted that under the Nagaland Societies Registration Act, 2017, organisations must fulfill specific criteria, including renewal every two years. However, the failure of many societies to comply, coupled with lax enforcement, has led to an accumulation of inactive and unregulated organization.

The chief minister directed the Home Department to take immediate action, proposing categorization of societies (Group A, B, C) based on their objectives and impact; stricter verification and renewal processes; cancellation of inactive and non-compliant societies; a clear working paper to be brought before the Cabinet for deliberation.

Rio emphasised that the state cannot afford unchecked growth of social organizations, especially when many societies operate without transparency or fail to contribute meaningfully.

‘This discussion is valuable in creating awareness. While we are not here to dictate terms, we must ensure societies function as per their objectives. It is time to streamline and restructure to prevent misuse and ensure genuine organizations thrive,’ Neiphiu Rio stated.