The Chief Minister of Nagaland in his 78th Independence Day speech called on the citizens of Nagaland to take inspiration from our freedom fighters and re-dedicate ourselves to the task of nation-building.
Stating that the State has made history by successfully conducting the Urban Local Body Elections with reservation for women for the very first time with 37% women representation, greater than the 33% mandated by the law. Citing it as an example of unity, the Neiphiu Rio said that there is nothing one cannot achieve as a State and hopped to carry forward this spirit and work together to overcome all obstacles.
Rio stated that while the Government was committed to the all-round development of the State, the Eastern Region of the State requires more handholding than the other parts. He said it was important to bridge both physical and human capital gaps that exist and the Government has an open-door policy to resolve the ENPO issue.
On the Naga Political issue, the Chief Minister stated that the Government is committed to the early solution. He expressed hope that the continuity, in the dispensation at the Centre will prove beneficial to the early resolution. The added that The Political Affairs Committee, constituted with the entire Cabinet and elected members from those tribes who are not in the Cabinet, has already held its first meeting and through the forum of Political Consultative Committees joint consultations will be held with the Civil Society Organisations, Tribal Hohos to discuss on the basis of the already signed Framework Agreement on 3rd August 2015 and the Agreed Position on 17th November 2017. The Government will continue to engage with all stakeholders to help reach an early solution, the Chief Minister added.
Rio, on the topic of Infrastructure, Energy and Connectivity stated that roads are the lifeline of any economy and the prime movers of economic development and Government has been pursuing major projects, namely, construction of Ciethu Airport at State Capital Kohima, Dimapur- Tizit Railway line, Foothill Road, Establishment of Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (USER), Upgrading of Nagaland Institute of Medical Science & Research (NIMSR) as a Central Institute, Establishing a New Incubation City ‘Nagaki’ in Chumoukedima district, declaration of more National Highways in the State with the Government of India. We are hopeful of a favourable decision from the Central Government, he added.
Rio also announced that during the upcoming year, the Department of PWD (R&B) will be implementing many projects, including eight (8) projects under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) covering more than 175 Kms with an approved cost of Rs 620 Crores. Under various heads the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) shall be supporting eighteen (18) projects covering more than 300 Kms with a cost of more than Rs.900 Crore.
The Chief Minister stated that the Government of Nagaland has taken many initiatives in the generation, transmission and distribution aspects of the power sector. Two major Hydro Electric Projects - the 42 MW Lower Tizu and 24 MW Zungki with project cost of Rs.541.12 Crore and Rs.368.53 Crore respectively have been approved by the Government of India for funding under the Asian Development Bank. The 2.4 MW Duilumroi Small Hydro Project which commenced during FY 2020-21 is scheduled for completion by August 2024 while survey and investigation works for development of Lower Doyang HEP with a capacity ranging between 18 to 24 MW has been initiated. Chief Minister Rio also stated that a total of 1,548 rural villages/ habitations, a total 64% of villages/ habitations have been fully covered with Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) as on date by the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) under the Jal Jeevan Mission. He also informed that in order to enable the Nagaland State Data Centre (NSDC) in providing more secure and efficient government services the Department of Information Technology & Communication has successfully upgraded the NSDC under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme.
Rio highlighting the Agri and allied sector said that the Department of Agriculture under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) had credited an amount of Rs 520 Crores into the bank accounts of 2,03,462 farmers till end- June of this year while work was still progressing under the Digital Agriculture Mission, for the development of an integrated web-based Geo- Portal and mobile application to help farmers. With regard to the Department of Horticulture Rio said that the state had been awarded the Best State Horticulture Award 2024 at the Agriculture Leadership Conclave on 10th July 2024 in New Delhi organized by the Agriculture Today Group and that the Department of Horticulture had initiated the organic cultivation of Citrus, Persimmon, Ginger and Large Cardamom covering an area of 2,500 hectares. The Department had established 380 low-cost mushroom units to popularise mushroom cultivation.
Rio said that the Department of Sericulture, under Silk Samagra-2 had covered eight hundred (800) beneficiaries. Through the rearing of Silkworms, employment generation to 17,350 persons were provided between 2021-22 and 2023-24. Between 2022-23 and 2024-25, under the State Programme for augmentation of Eri & Muga, 200 acres of land has been covered under silkworm host plant cultivation.
The Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services had established the Community Thutho Project at Lumithsami Village in Zunheboto aimed at the propagation of indigenous breed in community forest land. The Department recently established one (1) Veterinary Hospital at Tseminyu and One (1) Mini Dairy Plant-cum-Dairy Farmers Training Institute in Mokokchung. The mini dairy has a capacity of processing 5000 litres of liquid milk per day and will be able to produce chilled milk, Lassi and Dahi.
Rio also mentioned that the Department of Land Resources achieved 400 hectares of area under coffee plantation during the previous Financial Year. Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, eighty-six (86) micro- watersheds with a cross-treatment area of 32,000 Hectare was covered while the Department of Water Resources, in line with Jal Shakti Abhiyan Campaign, had completed 29 Walter harvesting structures/ water harvesting ponds in Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Wokha and Zunheboto.
Rio speaking about the art and culture, sports and tourism sector congratulated the Nagaland Madrigal Singers led by Hito Kiho who represented India and won two Gold Medals at the World Choir Games and also highlighted the successful hosting of the 3rd North East Games in March 2024. Rio said that the Nagaland Tourism Policy 2024 was launched on the 20th March, 2024. Nagaland is envisaged as a ‘Green Destination’ focussing on sustainability and community-centred tourism, while advancing infrastructure development, strengthening promotion efforts and generating tourism awareness. He also said that the state will be celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Hornbill Festival this year. To enhance the tourist experience, new galleries having a capacity of more than 7,000 are under construction and new features and amenities are being added in the Kisama Heritage Village.
Rio while speaking about Rural Development and urban development said that the Rural Development Department under MGNREGA generated an employment of 6.65 lakh person days till early July 2024. The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - Rural Livelihood Mission has achieved 100% saturation of targeted 1.22 lakh rural households. 15,245 Self Help Groups have been formed. 14,288 SHG members have been identified as potential Lakhpati Didis for further entrepreneurial support. Under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), Community Resource Centre at Yangzitong village under Kiphire and Rural Resource and Training Centre at Thipuzu village under Phek are expected to be completed this year. He said that the Rural Development Department under MGNREGA generated an employment of 6.65 lakh person days till early July 2024. The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - Rural Livelihood Mission has achieved 100% saturation of targeted 1.22 lakh rural households. 15,245 Self Help Groups have been formed. 14,288 SHG members have been identified as potential Lakhpati Didis for further entrepreneurial support.
The Urban Development Department had been implementing the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM). During 2023-24, ninety-five (95) SHGs were set up for this purpose. Under the PM SVANidhi Scheme, 3,814 Street Vendors have availed of loan to diversify their businesses. Nagaland Urban Infrastructure Development Project (NUIDP) assisted by the Asian Development Bank aims to cover all the 16 Headquarter towns in our State. In the first phase, for which eight (8) districts have been taken up, drawing up of Feasibility Reports and Detailed Project Reports are underway. He further said that the Government had submitted the Proposal Bid for a new planned city, “Na’gaki City” at Chathe valley, Chumoukedima District for selection through competitive bidding.
The Municipal Affairs Department has been implementing the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Till date 21,525 houses have been completed under this Scheme and 9,241 houses are at various stages of construction. cover all the 16 Headquarter towns in our State. In the first phase, for which eight (8) districts have been taken up, drawing up of Feasibility Reports and Detailed Project Reports are underway.
Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio during the 78th Indipendence Day speed highlighted the initiatives of the Health & Family Welfare Department to improve the health and welfare of the citizens and mentioned that four Primary Health Centres (PHCs) have received the National Quality Assurance Standard (NQAS) Certification from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GoI. Rio also said that with an aim to provide comprehensive radiation oncology services in the state, upgradation of of Radiation Oncology Centre at Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research, Dimapur is being taken up by the department at the cost of 34.50 crores, where NISMR has successfully completed the first year of its functioning and the second batch of 100 students are about to join the institution and also states that Medical College, Mon is in good progress. Rio said that Nagaland being the first state to provide Chief Minister's Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) has benefited more than 10,700 patients, who could avail cashless treatments since its inception.
Rio lauded the the Social Welfare Department for accessing helpline facility and assisting sixty four women and 297 children during 2023-2024.
In the Education, Labour, Employment and Skill Development sector, The Chief Minister informed the gathering that seventeen new school buildings and 17 residential quarters have been constructed under Nagaland Education Project funded by World Bank. The operation of lighthouse (NECTAR), Attendance Management System (SMILE APP) and Education Information Management System (EMIS) are some of the initiatives undertaken by the school education department.
Initiatives of Higher Education department was also highlighted where eight girls hostel have been constructed under Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuda Yojna (PM- AJAY), and out of 71 Higher Education Institution in Nagaland, 37 colleges have been accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). Rio also informed that under 3 scholarship schemes run by the Department, an amount of Rs. 24.22 Cr. of scholarship money has been provided to 47,228 students during the current year and four projects, totalling to Rs 25 Cr. under Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM- USHA) had been approved by the Government of India.
The Chief Minister said that the department of Technical Education is undertaking efforts to ensure that all Polytechnic Institutes in the state to obtain accreditation under National Board of Accreditation (NBA). Rio also enlightened the citizens that the State Council of Education and Research and Training (SCERT) under DIKSHA has uploaded 148 E- Textbooks of Nagaland Heritage textbook for classes 1 to 8.
In the Labour and Employment sector, the CM informed that 50 trainers per district under the " Skill Proficiency Management for Building and Other Construction Workers - Advance Training of Trainers" has been undertaken with an aim to address the shortfall of trainers in key construction trades, including electrical, RCC & Brick Masonary, and Stone Masonary etc. the department o Employment and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship is in focus to train 90 youth from three aspirational blocks namely Thonoknyu, Akuhaito and Khonsa, of which, the training will be provided for multiple occupations through state funding.
The state government relying on the quicker dissemination, smooth and easy access of the news to its citizens, the department of Information and Public Relations has developed the DIPR Nagaland Mobile App compatible with Android Phones. Eight Multimedia Mobile Vehicles for Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Zunheboto, Mokokchung, Phek and Wokha was flagged off in June 2024.
In regard to law-and-order situation in the state, Rio said that the peace in our state is being won by dint of hard work and determination, and lauded the district administration and police in ensuring healthy atmosphere in the state. The good work of the district administration and police was commendable. Rio also acknowledged the general public, civil societies and NGOs for the support towards the peaceful conduct of 18 Lok Sabha and ULB Election. He also said that to effectively deal with crime and the criminals and to modernize the police force, the state government has taken steps to improve forensic capabilities. It was also informed that Nagaland Police has commissioned a Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) instrument at Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and acquired a state-of- art Spectral camera that can capture fingerprints even on porous surfaces.
(Akummeren, Morotsung & V. Khekiye Sema, IAs)
