Village Councils: traditional institutions in Democratic decentralization.

Every Naga village has been an autonomous independent republic with the village chief as its head to look after the affair of the village. Therefore based on this model local self governments were organized integrating the existing indigenous institution into the process of democratic decentralizations under the banner of Village Council. This Village Council’s were established in every recognized village according to the usage and customary practices of the population of the area. It consists of members, chosen by villagers in accordance with the prevailing customary practices and usages as approved by the State Government. Hereditary village chiefs shall be ex-officio members of such Councils, with voting rights. The Village Council chooses a Member as Chairman and can select and appoint a Secretary who may or may not be a member of the Council. If the Secretary is not a member of the Council he does not have voting rights. The Village Council is required to meet at least once every three months. It is the job of the village council to formulate village development schemes, to supervise proper maintenance of water supply, roads, forest, education and other welfare activities to help Government agencies in carrying out development works in the village and to take up development works on its own initiative or on request by the Government. The village council also has the power to borrow money from various sources such as the Government, Banks or financial institutions, to apply for and receive grant-in-aid, donations, subsidies from the Government or any agencies and to raise fund for utility services within the village by passing a resolution subject to the approval by the State Government. However, all monetary transactions are required to be conducted through a scheduled bank or the Nagaland State Cooperative Bank.

The Village Council also has the power to administer justice within the village limits in accordance with the customary law and usages and has full powers to deal with internal administration of the village. The Village Council is subject to the Central Superintendence of the State Government/ Deputy Commissioner / Additional Deputy Commissioner or Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) in-charge of the Sub-Division, Extra Assistant Commissioner or Circle Officer.