An awareness and sensitisation program was organised by the Directorate of Minority Affairs at the Deputy Commissioner's Conference Hall, Mokokchung on 14th May 2026. The initiative aimed to educate and empower notified minority communities including Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains about government welfare schemes. The program focused on ensuring equitable access to educational, economic, and infrastructure development opportunities.
Welcoming the officials, Deputy Commissioner Mokokchung, Ajit Kumar Verma, IAS, expressed deep gratitude to the department for launching this timely initiative. He acknowledged that while these welfare programmes are currently new to the local population, sustained institutional outreach will rapidly bridge the information gap. He expressed strong optimism that the department will roll out additional targeted schemes in the near future to uplift the socio-economic fabric of the state.
Delivering the keynote address, Joint Director of Minority Affairs, Andrew C. Imti outlined the core schemes designed to protect, safeguard, and economically develop religious minorities. He informed that the newly established independent Department of Minority Affairs in Nagaland will now act as the nodal agency. He said that Minority Affairs Ministry schemes previously scattered across various state departments are being systematically streamlined under this single department.
The event featured comprehensive PowerPoint presentations from departmental experts to unpack complex scheme structures:
Under the Micro-Credit Schemes, Program Assistant, Khriezotuolie detailed financial credit options available under the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC). While on Educational Incentives, Superintendent, Rugozeto Iralu mapped out application pathways for vital Minority Scholarship schemes. In the Infrastructural & Skill Growth, Project Officer Shalo Khing presented structural updates on Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) and PM VIKAS.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the chairperson, Andrew C. Imti.
(Zuchumo Kithan, IA Mokokchung)
