Nagaland: Nagaland Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio said on Monday that the state government is making continuous efforts in all sectors to achieve the national goal of Developed India@2047, with human resource development at the heart of this vision.
Addressing the 77th Republic Day celebrations at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza here, Rio said that Nagaland will work together with other states to achieve this collective goal by advancing welfare, infrastructure, and governance initiatives.
On the Naga issue, Rio said that the Political Affairs Committee – comprising ministers, advisors, MPs, and representatives of political parties – is holding regular meetings to review matters related to the Naga peace talks and will further intensify its role as an active facilitator. He urged all negotiating parties and stakeholders to heed the aspirations of the people and work towards an honorable, inclusive, and acceptable solution without further delay, emphasizing unity and mutual understanding.
On Eastern Nagaland, Rio said that the government is committed to addressing regional disparities and is moving forward with understanding with the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation on the demand for the formation of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA). He said that the state’s views have already been conveyed to the Centre.
In the education sector, Rio said that the School Education Department under NESIDS (OTRI) has completed an in-service teachers’ training-cum-examination center with residential facilities and IT-enabled infrastructure at Medziphema in Chümoukedima district.
The State Level Education Committee has also approved a three-month certificate course for language teachers and officers of recognized languages in collaboration with Nagaland University. In the labor and skill development sector, he said that a construction skills center is being established in partnership with the Construction Skill Development Council (CSDC).
The Labour Department has also launched an online registration and licensing system, notified on November 13, 2025, to improve governance and transparency. Highlighting technical education, Rio said that three polytechnics have received NBA accreditation, while the upgradation of Khelhoshe Polytechnic, Atoizu to a degree college is underway. An MoU with Japan’s ARMS Corporation is also in the pipeline, focusing on employment opportunities for technical graduates. To improve scholarship governance, the Nagaland Scholarship Nodal Cell was established at the Directorate of Higher Education and launched on December 1, 2025.
The state cabinet had also approved the Coaching Centre Guidelines 2025 to regulate this sector and safeguard student welfare.
Rio said that the Youth Resources and Sports Department is strengthening the sports ecosystem. Nagaland hosted the Dr. Talimeren Ao Junior Girls National Football Championship 2025-26 (Tier 2) from November 22 to December 11, 2025, in Chumoukedima, with 13 states and union territories participating – the first national-level football championship hosted by the state.
He said that Nagaland is preparing to host the 9th North East Youth Festival in March 2026, with over 1,200 youths expected from across the region.
Rio said that the Agriculture Department has appointed AG Horizon Pvt. Ltd. as the program management unit to improve project implementation.
Under PM-KISAN, over 2.38 lakh farmers have benefited, with over ₹763 crore directly deposited into their bank accounts. The state was also implementing the National Natural Farming Mission from 2024-25.
In horticulture, under MIDH 2025-26, an area expansion of 1,290 hectares has been achieved across various crops. Under RKVY, initiatives were underway for an apple processing unit, low-cost oyster mushroom units, and promoting the cultivation of GI-tagged tree tomatoes. The State Level Nodal Agency under the Department of Land Resources organized the Watershed Festival Campaign 2025 under PMKSY-WDC 2.0 and inventoried 7,369 springs in 1,318 villages. The Soil and Water Conservation Department also inaugurated 12 bio-fertilizer production units and a Command and Control Center under RKVY.
In animal husbandry, mass vaccination of 60,000 cattle against Foot and Mouth Disease was underway under NADCP, along with the establishment of nine pork meat production units. The Fisheries Department was developing 10 hectares of water bodies under PMMSY and will implement a table fish production farm under NEC. The Sericulture Department was promoting eri silkworm rearing in five districts, benefiting 120 women with training and infrastructure support.
Rio stated that Nagaland continues to be one of the most peaceful states in the country. Citing the NCRB’s Crime in India 2023 report, he said the state has the second lowest cognizable crime rate at 84.9 per lakh population.
The police were strengthening their response to cybercrime and financial crimes. In anti-narcotics operations, the Nagaland Police seized 230 kg of NDPS drugs and nearly one lakh units of synthetic drugs last year.
Nagaland: Rio reiterated his commitment to development and peace.
