Chief Minister, Dr Neiphiu Rio addressing a high-level deliberation meeting on Viksit Nagaland for Viksit Bharat@47, held at the State Banquet Hall, Chief Minister’s Residential Complex, Kohima on June 10. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima, June 10 (MExN): In what was termed a “landmark first,” a high-level deliberation on Viksit Nagaland for Viksit Bharat @2047 (Developed) and related matters was held today at the State Banquet Hall, Chief Minister’s Residential Complex, Kohima.
The meeting brought together the full spectrum of Nagaland’s top leadership and administrative machinery, including all 60 elected Legislators led by the Chief Minister; the Chief Secretary of Nagaland; senior police officials headed by the Director General of Police; and all Administrative Heads of Departments (AHoDs) and Heads of Departments (HoDs), the State DIPR informed.
Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police from all 17 districts of Nagaland, along with other key government functionaries, were also in attendance.
This was described as a pivotal gathering of policymakers, unified in their commitment to shaping a dynamic and progressive future for Nagaland, noted Development Commissioner Temsunaro Aier, who chaired the meeting.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister of Nagaland, Dr Neiphiu Rio, offered a brief historical overview of the Naga movement, the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, and the State’s unique grassroots governance under the Village Councils Act of 1978, in lieu of the Panchayati Raj system followed elsewhere.
Reflecting on the State’s financial past, he noted that prior to 1989, the financial year often began with a zero-deficit budget.
Dr Rio, thus, stressed the need for efficient implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes, urging departments to ensure timely utilisation of allocated funds. Failure to do so, he cautioned, would result in the State having to return unspent funds with interest to the Central Government.
Amidst ongoing societal and administrative challenges, he called for unity among the Naga people and emphasised the importance of collective effort and teamwork to realise the vision of Viksit Nagaland in line with the national goal of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Roadmap and thematic focus
According to the State DIPR, a key highlight of the meeting was Chief Secretary J Alam’s sharing of his experiences at the recent NITI Aayog meeting held in New Delhi, along with a PowerPoint presentation showcasing the Nagaland Index Map on key parameters and the State’s resources to drive growth.
As per Alam, the guiding principles to be adopted and addressed for Nagaland to become ‘Developed’ fall under the following areas: zero poverty, population management & human resource development, skilling & employment, water scarcity, farmer agri-tech, creative economy & product perfection, improvement in health and education indicators, digital transformation & innovation, Swachh Nagaland, and inclusive infrastructure development.
He further highlighted the following as key economic growth drivers: urbanisation and regional development, tourism & creative economy, agricultural innovation & technology, service hub development, mines and mineral-based industries, sustainability, and the green economy.
Alam also emphasised the State’s rich oil and mineral deposits, abundant natural resources, and demographic dividend supported by a creative economy and human resource potential.
Other thematic presentations, supported by the latest data, included: Strengthening Governance System from Grassroots Upwards; Sensitisation and Integration of Customary Laws in Governance; Chief Minister’s Micro Finance Initiative (CMMFI); Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS); and Strengthening the Start-up Ecosystem
These presentations were followed by a detailed deliberative session where the administrative machinery and policymakers discussed key issues relating to the above themes, the DIPR report added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister for Planning & Transformation and National Highways, T R Zeliang, elaborated further on CMHIS—the State’s flagship health insurance scheme—and the CMMFI, aimed at promoting self-employment and economic self-reliance, particularly among the youth.
Noting that such initiatives reflect the Government’s unwavering commitment to building an inclusive healthcare system and a resilient economy, he urged all stakeholders to actively support and promote these transformative schemes.
Deputy Chief Minister for Home & Border Affairs, Y Patton, also emphasised the importance of safeguarding Article 371(A), asserting that it is crucial to ensure the protection of the rights and freedoms of the Naga people from external interference.
