Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio on Monday underscored that the Naga political issue remains a matter of paramount importance for the state, reaffirming that the Nagaland government is fully committed to achieving an early and honourable resolution.
Delivering the Republic Day speech at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza, Rio said the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), comprising ministers, advisors, representatives of all political parties, and Members of Parliament from Nagaland, has been meeting regularly to review developments in the ongoing peace talks. He said the committee would further strengthen its role as an active facilitator in the process.
Reiterating the government’s stand, the Chief Minister said the prolonged non-settlement of the Naga political issue has adversely affected every aspect of life in Nagaland and has significantly hampered overall development. He appealed to all negotiating parties and stakeholders to uphold the aspirations of the people and make use of the opportunity to arrive at an honourable, acceptable and inclusive solution at the earliest, stressing unity and mutual understanding.
Eastern Nagaland, FNTA and Inclusive Development
On development, Rio said sustained efforts are being made to ensure development reaches across all regions of the state, though he acknowledged that the eastern districts continue to lag behind in several indicators. He said the government is committed to addressing disparities and grievances in the region and is moving forward with mutual understanding with the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) on the demand for the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA). He added that the state government’s views have already been conveyed to the Government of India.
Aligning with the national vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of human resource development as the foundation of long-term progress.
Education and Skill Development
In the education sector, Rio said an in-service teachers’ training-cum-examination centre with residential and IT facilities under NESIDS (OTRI) has been completed at Medziphema and was inaugurated on December 5, 2025. He also informed that a three-month certificate course for language teachers and officials, in collaboration with Nagaland University, has been approved to enhance teaching skills and language proficiency.
In higher education, construction of a library at Sao Chang College, Tuensang, and an administrative building at Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung, is underway during 2025–26, he said adding, to improve scholarship governance, the Nagaland Scholarship Nodal Cell was launched on December 1, 2025. He added that the state Cabinet has approved the Guidelines on Coaching Centres 2025 to regulate the sector and safeguard students’ welfare.
Highlighting technical education, Rio said three state polytechnics have achieved NBA accreditation, while the upgradation of Khelhoshe Polytechnic, Atoizu, to a degree college is progressing. An MoU with ARMS Incorporation of Japan is also in the pipeline to enhance employment opportunities for technical graduates, he informed.
Labour, Women Empowerment and Agriculture
In the labour sector, the Chief Minister said a skill centre for the construction sector is being established in partnership with the Construction Skill Development Council, while an online system for registration and licensing was notified on November 13, 2025, to improve transparency.
He said the Women Resources Development Department, under the Myki Activities Project, is implementing apparel, accessories and food processing initiatives through centres at Kohima and Meriema.
Noting that nearly 70 percent of the population depends on agriculture and allied activities, Rio said AG Horizon Pvt Ltd has been engaged as programme management unit and consultancy. Under PM-KISAN, more than 2.38 lakh farmers have benefited, with over ₹763 crore credited directly to their accounts, he informed.
He added that the National Mission on Natural Farming is being implemented to promote sustainable agriculture, while horticulture has achieved area expansion of 1,290 hectares under MIDH 2025–26, while under RKVY, projects include an apple processing unit, oyster mushroom units and livelihood support through GI-tagged tree tomato cultivation.
Water, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries
The Chief Minister informed that 7,369 springs across 1,318 villages have been inventorizsed under PMKSY-WDC 2.0. He said 12 biofertilizer production units and one command and control centre have been inaugurated under RKVY.
In animal husbandry, Rio said mass vaccination of 60,000 bovines against foot and mouth disease is underway, along with the establishment of nine pork meat production units. In fisheries, he said 10 hectares of water bodies are being developed under PMMSY, with a table fish production farm planned under North East Council (NEC). He also said eri silkworm rearing is being promoted across five districts, benefiting 120 women.
Environment, Tourism and Social Welfare
Highlighting environmental conservation, Rio said over 200 community reserves covering nearly 80,000 hectares have been notified, making Nagaland a pioneer in community-led conservation. He said the Kohima Peace Memorial and Eco-Park, developed under the JICA-funded Nagaland Forest Management Project, has been dedicated to the people as a symbol of friendship between Nagaland and Japan.
On tourism, he said the 26th Hornbill Festival in 2025 recorded a footfall of 1,80,958 visitors. Major projects such as the Enopen Tourist Resort at Khonoma and Unity Plaza at Kisama were inaugurated in 2025, while iconic tourism projects are being planned with headquarters at the proposed Nagaki City in Chathe Valley.
In social welfare, Rio said one-stop centres are operational in all 17 districts, and the Nagaland Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Rules 2025 were notified on December 2, 2025. He added that the Food and Civil Supplies Department has achieved 100 percent online allocation and supply chain management.
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Healthcare, Infrastructure and Urban Development
On healthcare, the Chief Minister said over 5.78 lakh PM-JAY and CMHIS cards and 1.92 lakh CHIS (EP) cards have been issued, with claim payouts exceeding ₹450 crore. He said the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and an MoU with FSSAI are strengthening healthcare delivery and preventive care.
He said infrastructure development remains a priority, with 11 road projects under NESIDS covering 205.92 km underway, along with 56 road projects and one RCC bridge under SASCI in 2025–26. Eco-friendly FDR technology is being used under PMGSY, alongside national highway upgrades, housing projects, power substation expansion, renewable energy initiatives, Jal Jeevan Mission works and the launch of the e-challan system.
In urban development, Rio said the state has secured a $2 million ADB loan under the Nagaland Infrastructure Development Project, while dumpsite bioremediation is underway in 12 urban local bodies.
He also highlighted initiatives across industries, mining, DUDA, art and culture, disaster management, rural development and policing, noting that NCRB data ranks Nagaland as the second safest state in the country.
The Chief Minister further said that while progress has been made, much remains to be done, and called upon citizens to rededicate themselves towards building a more developed, prosperous and progressive Nagaland.
