Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio at 79th Independence Day in Kohima on August 15. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 15
Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio on Friday used his 79th Independence Day address to project a vision of an empowered and self-reliant state, anchored in unity and inclusive growth. Speaking at the State Civil Secretariat Plaza in Kohima, Rio combined a call for collective resolve with a detailed account of key developmental initiatives rolled out over the past year.
“Let us pledge in words and in action to build a state where every citizen feels empowered, where our youth find opportunities, where our farmers, workers, and entrepreneurs thrive, and where the spirit of unity prevails above all else,” he said.
The CM urged citizens to walk “with courage, compassion, and commitment” to make Nagaland “stronger, inclusive, and self-reliant.”
Strengthening agriculture and rural economy
Rio placed emphasis on agriculture as a backbone of the state economy. Under the PM-KISAN scheme, 2, 33,282 farmers in Nagaland have received a cumulative Rs 686 crore via Direct Benefit Transfer till June 2025. Organic farming has also gained ground, with 30,500 hectares now under cultivation through the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), benefiting over 31,000 farmers.
The state’s horticulture sector saw expansion of ginger and Naga mircha cultivation, alongside oil palm under the National Mission on Edible Oils. Coffee has been adopted as Nagaland’s Unique Selling Proposition (USP) with approval from the Ministry of DoNER, potentially opening new market avenues.
In sericulture, the Eri Silk Development Project under Silk Samagra-2 is targeting 870 beneficiaries in four districts with an expected production of 40 metric tonnes of eri cocoon. The fisheries sector, supported by the PMMSY, has developed 150 hectares of water bodies, benefiting 1,400 farmers and boosting total fish production to over 11,158 metric tonnes.
Livestock, irrigation and soil health
Under the National Livestock Mission, 28 pig breeding farms have been established this financial year. Irrigation capacity is expanding with 270 surface minor irrigation schemes under the PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, and new water harvesting structures in seven districts. The state has also reclaimed 2,744 hectares of acidic soil and distributed micronutrients to 74,000 farmers.
Expanding rural connectivity and infrastructure
Major road upgrades have been completed under the Inter-State Connectivity Scheme and PMGSY, including links from Dhobinalla to Diphu and Chizami to Lai in Manipur. Four NESIDS projects covering 63.5 km have also been finished. Rural road projects worth over Rs 322 crore are in progress, while national highways are undergoing widening and strengthening.
The Housing Department inaugurated a new PWD Office Complex in Mokokchung and VIP quarters at Thizama, while patient guest houses are being built in Dibrugarh and Vellore.
Power and renewable energy projects
Nagaland’s power infrastructure is receiving a significant push, with the Nagarjan substation in Dimapur upgraded to 350 MVA. Work is underway on a new 220/132/33 kV substation at Tsitrongse to reduce load congestion.
The Nagaland Solar Mission, launched in April 2025, is converging with the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana to promote rooftop solar. Two 5 MW solar plants — one in Niuland (completed) and one in Kohima district (in progress) — are part of the state’s renewable energy drive.
Under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 667 crore for 100% smart prepaid metering and loss reduction measures, to be completed by March 2026.
Water supply and Jal Jeevan Mission progress
The CM announced that 94% of rural households now have tap water under Jal Jeevan Mission. Out of 1,548 rural habitations, 1,241 villages have been fully covered, with plans to provide Functional Household Tap Connections to an additional 23,465 households this year.
Education and skill development
The education sector saw expansion of science streams in five government higher secondary schools. A total of 51 educational infrastructure projects, including 15 new schools, were inaugurated earlier this month under Samagra Shiksha. Eleven new Eklavya Model Residential Schools are under construction.
The state is also introducing a Nagaland Technical Education Policy in line with NEP 2020. Skill development includes a Rs 3 crore centre for construction workers, digitisation of cooperative societies, and training of over 3,600 teachers in disaster management.
Urban development and tourism growth
Urban Local Bodies received Rs 11 crore for functional offices, while 64 AMRUT 2.0 projects are in progress in all 39 towns. The flagship Hornbill Festival 2024 drew 2, 05,968 visitors, generating an estimated Rs 189.71 crore for the local economy.
The state’s first Nagaland Film Policy was notified in 2024 to promote the creative and media sectors.
Social welfare and women empowerment
Six new One Stop Centres have been approved for districts including Noklak, Tseminyu and Shamator. Through the Transformative Livelihood Intervention Project, 585 women received financial and material support for income-generating activities. Construction of working women hostels is planned across nine districts.
The state’s rural livelihood mission has saturated 1.36 lakh rural households through 15,412 SHGs, with 30,133 SHG members identified as potential “Lakhpati Didi” entrepreneurs.
Health sector updates
Since launch, Ayushman Bharat and the CM Health Insurance Scheme have together delivered treatments worth over Rs 300 crore. In the education-health interface, disaster preparedness is being embedded in schools through trained teachers.
Law, order and drug enforcement
On security, Rio noted the Nagaland Police’s intensified “War on Drugs,” which recently led to the seizure of 13 kg heroin and 7 kg brown sugar valued at Rs 81.50 crore. New police infrastructure, including SP offices in several districts and a VIP Guest House in Chümoukedima, has been inaugurated.
In closing, Rio stressed the need to “renew and reaffirm” collective commitment towards unity, dignity, and equitable development. “Our rich culture and traditions have always stood tall in the Indian nation, steadfast in values, vibrant in diversity, and strong in our resolve for peace and progress,” he said.
