Boosting Nagaland’s One District One Product

Kohima, 21 June (MTNews): Department for the Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT ) and Invest India in collaboration with the Department of Industries and Commerce, Nagaland, and Press Information Bureau Kohima organized an ODOP Sampark event on 21 June at Hotel Vivor, Kohima.

The event served as a platform to highlight the commendable efforts of DPIIT and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, in promoting the One District One Product (ODOP) and PM Gati Shakti (Logistics) initiatives.

The distinguished guests at the event included Sumita Dawra, the Special Secretary of DPIIT, Government of India; R. Ramakrishnan, IAS, the Development Commissioner of the Government of Nagaland; and Kekhrievor Kevichusa, the Commissioner & Secretary of Industries & Commerce, Government of Nagaland.

Emphasis on improved logistics

In a bid to further fortify the ODOP initiative in Nagaland, Dawra shed light on upcoming endeavors to enhance logistics facilities for ODOP products. Notable items like chili, turmeric, kiwi, and pineapple will greatly benefit from key initiatives such as the Krishi UDAN scheme and the expansion of railway connectivity.

Acknowledging the paramount importance of efficient logistics, Dawra emphasized that the implementation of the Krishi UDAN scheme would significantly improve connectivity and accessibility for Nagaland’s unique products, both domestically and internationally. Moreover, the expansion of railway connectivity will streamline the transportation of ODOP items, thereby optimizing the supply chain.

Unity Mall in Dimapur to promote Nagaland’s ODOP products

In another significant announcement, it was mentioned that the Union Budget 2023-24 has allocated a substantial sum of Rs 5000 crore for the construction of Unity Malls across the nation. These Unity Malls will serve as comprehensive marketplaces, providing consumers with a one-stop destination to explore and purchase a wide range of indigenous ODOP products from various regions.

In line with this development, the State Government of Nagaland has planned a Unity Mall in Dimapur, with an approved budget allocation of INR 145 Crore for its realization.

Boost for chili growers

Earlier, on 20 June, Sumita Dawra underscored the significant strides made by DPIIT and Invest India through the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) Drive, held in Kohima. The program, focused on chili cultivation in the region, witnessed the enthusiastic participation of over 30 chili farmers from Kohima.

A notable outcome of the event was the initiation of organic certification documentation for more than 15 chili farmers, with the remaining farmers’ documentation set to be completed expeditiously after document verification.

This pivotal development is poised to bolster Indian products’ accessibility in international markets like the European Union (EU), Switzerland, and other regions. Furthermore, it is expected to empower farmers by facilitating access to better prices for their produce.

Review Meeting on PM GatiShakti for Nagaland State

Kohima, 21 June (MTNews): Nagaland showcased progress in the implementation of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP) during a review meeting held in Kohima on 21 June. Chaired by Sumita Dawra, Special Secretary (Logistics) of DPIIT, the meeting saw the participation of government officials from Nagaland.

Sumita Dawra, in her address, highlighted Nagaland’s significant advancements in aligning its Institutional Arrangements/Policy Formulation with the PM GatiShakti framework. She mentioned that the establishment of Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS), Network Planning Group (NPG), and Technical Support Unit (TSU) in the state, comprising various departments such as Power, Roads, Urban Development, Tourism, and Transport, has been instrumental in driving progress.

She further informed that as of 13 June, 2023, twenty-two out of the thirty mandatory data layers have been integrated into the State Master Plan (SMP) platform, including forests, eco-sensitive zones, village habitations, economic areas, and roads.

Under the Special Assistance Scheme for the States, an amount of Rs 28.43 crores has been disbursed for several projects in Nagaland, as highlighted by Dawra in her speech. These projects include the establishment of modern aggregation centers in Longnak and Changtongya, Mokokchung District, an integrated warehouse and distribution center in Meluri, Phek District, a PM GatiShakti data center in Kohima, and a modern aggregation center in Pfutsero, Phek District.

Dawra also mentioned that five projects submitted as part of the State Annual Action Plan have been mapped on the State Master Plan (SMP).

Since the launch of PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, Nagaland State has created a requisite framework in terms of Institutional Arrangements/Policy Formulation for alignment with PM GatiShakti framework. The Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS), Network Planning Group (NPG), and Technical Support Unit (TSU) have been constituted in the State comprising various departments like Power, Roads, Urban Development,Tourism, Transport etc.

Dawra acknowledged the significance of the National Logistics Policy (NLP), which aims to improve efficiency in logistics services and human resource development. She stated that Nagaland is in the final draft stage of developing its own Nagaland State Logistics Policy to complement the PM GatiShakti NMP.

She further highlighted Nagaland’s active participation in various regional and zonal workshops related to PM GatiShakti, demonstrating the state’s commitment to collaboration and coordination.

She also stressed the importance of training and capacity building for government officers, mentioning the programs conducted at BISAG-N in Gandhinagar.

The progress made by Nagaland in implementing the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, as mentioned by Sumita Dawra in her speech, reflects the state’s dedication to infrastructure development and logistics streamlining. However, it is important to note that these statements are based on the remarks made by Sumita Dawra, Special Secretary (Logistics) of DPIIT, during the review meeting.

The meeting concluded with the Special Secretary providing valuable recommendations to the state. She urged Nagaland to take the following actions:

· Use NMP/SMP for planning all upcoming infrastructure projects.

· Improve data mapping and authenticity of data on the data layers mapped on SMP.

· Focus on development of economic centers in the North East through appropriate infrastructure and logistics development.

· Usage of SMP for Area Development Approach on the identified area.

· Identify critical infrastructure gaps and ensure they are taken up for connectivity projects.

· Onboarding of social sector departments of the State in PM GatiShakti for planning of social infrastructure.

· Leverage local remote sensing agencies / space agencies for development of geo-tagged data, under guidance of BISAG-N, Ahmedabad

· Sensitizing and penetration of PM GatiShakti (PMGS) adoption at district level for effective area development planning, to improve both Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living of citizens.

Background on ODOP

The ODOP initiative is a visionary program aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of fostering inclusive development across all districts of India. Its objective is to promote a distinct product from each district, creating a niche identity and driving socio-economic growth.

With over 1000 products selected from all 761 districts, the initiative covers various sectors including textiles, agriculture, processed goods, pharmaceuticals, and industry.

By addressing supply chain challenges and enhancing market reach, ODOP aims to empower districts, promote entrepreneurship, and contribute to India’s economic growth and prosperity.