Chief Minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio and his lady wife Kaisa Rio hosted State Dinner in honour of Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman at State Banquet Hall, Chief Minister's Residential Complex, Kohima on 14th November 2025.
Chief Secretary, Sentiyanger Imchen, IAS on behalf of the State Government welcomed the Union Minister. He said it was her 3rd visit to the State and visit to Kiphire yesterday, the remotest district of the State, is proof of the keen interest and concern towards the State of Nagaland and its people. The State is looking forward for her inputs and advice from the insights and experience gained from the interaction she had with the government machinery, SHGs, and the public of the district, he added.
Her presence at the Nagaland CSR and Investment Conclave 2022 paved the way and gave further impetus for many CSR initiatives benefiting our people in the sectors of education, healthcare and livelihood. He also acknowledged her for the push and inputs she gave in promoting financial inclusion and entrepreneurship.
At the time of her visit in 2022, the number of unbanked blocks stood at 27. However, with the inauguration of the Nagaland Rural Bank virtually at Wakching, Mon District, the number has now come down to 18, he reported. This has brought the public of these areas within the ambit of true financial inclusion. The Chief Minister's Micro Finance Initiative launched in her presence during her last visit, has become one of the State's most impactful programmes- empowering farmers, entrepreneurs and women-led Self- Help Groups with affordable Credit.
He also thanked the Union Finance Minister for her generosity to Nagaland in allocating funds under the scheme of Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment ( SASCI) enabling the State to take up crucial infrastructure projects across the State, and requested the Union Finance Minister for time frame of one year for implementing projects under the scheme is a constraint for which the time-lines be increased to take up the projects with longer gestation period.
As part of the State Dinner, the Task Force for Music and Arts has put together a cultural performance of folk songs and dances, a Children's Choir and some hindi songs.
AHoDs and HoDs attended the State Dinner.
(Nongozo Rikha, Asst. Director)
