Union MoS for Rural Development, Kamlesh Paswan with Commissioner & Secretary of Rural Development Thavaseelan K, DC Dimapur, Dr Tinojongshi Chang, DC Chümoukedima, Polan John, Director RD M Mongna Konyak, senior officials and SHG members during a review meeting at Rhododendron Hall, Chümoukedima on January 23. (DIPR Photo)
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 23 (MExN): Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Government of India, Kamlesh Paswan was on an official visit to Nagaland from January 23 to 24 to review the implementation of key rural development schemes across the State. He was accompanied by Swapnil S. Patil, IRS, Private Secretary, and Vinay Kumar, Personal Assistant.
During the visit, Paswan held a review meeting with district officials in Dimapur and interacted with beneficiaries of various rural development schemes. Addressing the gathering, he called for effective implementation of Central government programmes at the grassroots level to ensure inclusive growth and improved livelihoods in rural areas. He said that the success of rural development initiatives depends on transparency, timely execution and active participation of local stakeholders, and urged officials to work with dedication so that benefits reach intended beneficiaries, particularly poor and marginalized sections.
The review highlighted progress under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) in Dimapur district, with focus on women-led livelihood initiatives and financial inclusion. Under the mission, 13,409 women have been mobilized into 1,665 self-help groups across the district. Capitalization support amounting to Rs 3,985.72 lakh has been provided to facilitate access to institutional credit and income-generating activities.
The district has developed 1,006 Community Resource Persons for last-mile delivery of livelihood and financial services. Under the Lakhpati Didi initiative, 425 women in Dimapur have achieved Lakhpati status, earning annual incomes ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh through farm and non-farm activities.
At the State level, under the Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission, progress has been recorded under the Lakhpati Didi initiative. Against a target of 30,000 Lakhpati Didis, over 33,000 SHG members have been identified as potential Lakhpati Didis. Of these, 5,483 women have been nurtured into Lakhpatis, achieving annual incomes between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 5 lakh. The majority of income has been generated through farm-based activities, with animal husbandry emerging as a key contributor.
The review meeting was attended by Thavaseelan K., IAS, Commissioner and Secretary, Rural Development Department; Dr Tinojongshi Chang, Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur; Polan John, Deputy Commissioner, Chümoukedima; M Mongna Konyak, Director, Rural Development Department; and other senior officials.
