Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav on Friday emphasised the need for technology-driven, evidence-based and people-centric planning to accelerate sustainable and inclusive development across the State while reviewing the functioning of the Planning & Transformation Department at Lok Bhavan.
Chairing a departmental review meeting, the Governor was briefed on the department’s planning framework, flagship programmes, geospatial initiatives, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the State’s long-term development roadmap. The presentation was made by Principal Secretary & Development Commissioner Y Kikheto Sema, IAS.
During the meeting, the Governor was informed that the Department is responsible for formulating the State’s development plans, coordinating with NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), the North Eastern Council (NEC) and various Central ministries, besides monitoring development programmes and guiding departments on planning priorities.
The presentation highlighted the role of key institutional mechanisms, including the State Planning Board, State Level Project Implementation and Management Committee, State Project Review Monitoring and Coordination Committee and the State Land Acquisition Authority.
Sema informed the Governor that the Annual Plan Outlay for 2026-27 has been approved at ₹1,350 crore, covering allocations for developmental departments, State share, the Local Area Development Programme (LADP), land acquisition, budget initiatives and support for the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA). The meeting also reviewed sector-wise allocations and expenditure trends aimed at ensuring balanced and inclusive growth across Nagaland.
The Governor was also briefed on the implementation of Centrally-sponsored programmes through MDoNER, NEC, NESIDS and PM-DevINE, as well as the progress of the Aspirational District and Aspirational Block programmes.
Officials informed the meeting that Kiphire continues as Nagaland’s Aspirational District, while Akuhaito, Khongsa and Thonoknyu have been identified as Aspirational Blocks. Among them, Thonoknyu Block has received performance-based incentives from NITI Aayog.
Reviewing the State’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the Governor was apprised of Nagaland’s SDG Vision 2030 and district-wise performance indicators, with Mokokchung, Kohima and Dimapur emerging as the State’s top-performing districts in the North East Region SDG Index.
A significant part of the review focused on the Nagaland Institute of Transformation (NIoT), established with support from NITI Aayog under the State Support Mission. Officials informed the Governor that the institute is spearheading the preparation of the Viksit Nagaland @2047 Vision Document, which is currently under review and is expected to be finalised after approval by the High-Level Steering Committee and the State Cabinet.
During the presentation, Sema observed that Nagaland has undergone significant transformation since attaining statehood but stressed that greater financial support from the Government of India is essential to meet the State’s growing developmental aspirations.
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He said central funding for Nagaland should be brought at par with other northeastern states to bridge critical infrastructure gaps, accelerate socio-economic development and effectively implement the State’s long-term development agenda. Equitable financial support, he noted, would strengthen public service delivery, improve connectivity and generate sustainable livelihood opportunities across all districts.
The Department also showcased the work of the Nagaland GIS & Remote Sensing Centre, highlighting its use of geospatial technology, drones, artificial intelligence and remote sensing to improve governance and development planning.
The Governor was briefed on initiatives such as village resource mapping, urban planning, watershed studies, disaster management, landslide monitoring, PM GatiShakti support, traffic management, medical drone delivery, drone-based agriculture and indigenous drone development. Officials informed the meeting that more than 1,300 villages have already been mapped, making Nagaland a pioneer in drone-enabled governance in the Northeast.
Appreciating the Department’s technology-driven approach, the Governor underscored the importance of evidence-based planning, effective inter-departmental coordination, timely implementation of projects and optimum utilisation of available resources to ensure that development benefits reach every section of society.
He further stressed that planning must remain transparent, inclusive and result-oriented, while encouraging the Department to continue embracing innovation and emerging technologies to support Nagaland’s sustainable development goals.
Senior officials of the Planning & Transformation Department and the Nagaland GIS & Remote Sensing Centre attended the review meeting.
