Dr Ramdas Athawale, the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, addressed a press conference in Kohima on Thursday where he emphasized the inclusive approach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment towards the upliftment of various communities in Nagaland.

The Union Minister apprised about his interactions with the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Nagaland, and informed that of the State’s 19 lakh population, the tribal community make up for 86.5 per cent while the Brahmin community is at 8.75 per cent.

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Athawale mentioned that Nagaland has a transgender population of 423 and highlighted the Central Government’s decisions to support the transgender community. Further, he affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working for the welfare of disabled people.

Highlighting the achievements of the Ministry in Nagaland under Pradhan Mantri Flagship schemes, the Union Minister pointed out that under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana Scheme, Rs 3.85 lakh accounts have been opened with Rs 117.54 crore released funds from 2014-24.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana Scheme, the state has 1.31 lakh loans provided to beneficiaries and amount of Rs 1712.1 crore released funds from 2015-24.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Scheme, the Ministry provided gas connections to 1.19 lakh beneficiaries.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural), the State has ten thousand houses constructed to beneficiaries and amount of Rs 310.52 crore released funds from 2018-24.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), the Nagaland had 19 thousand houses constructed for beneficiaries and amount of Rs 339.52 crore released funds from 2015-24.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (Ayush Bharat Yojana), the state had 64 thousand beneficiaries and amount of Rs 123.52 crore released funds.

Under the Ujala Yojana, the state had 8.72 lakh bulbs issued to beneficiaries and amount of Rs 6.22 crore funds released from 2015-22.

Athawale mentioned that five old ages homes were constructed with Rs 49 lakh spent. He also said that efforts are being made to establish more old-aged homes.

Under the financial assistance for establishment of de-addiction centres across the country, including in Nagaland, the information was awaited, the Union Minister informed.