Addressing the 76th Republic Day celebration at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza, Kohima, on 26 January 2025, the Governor of Nagaland, La. Ganesan, stated that the Constitution’s ideals have provided the direction for progress and development.
He further said that the rights and privileges granted by the Constitution to its citizens, anchored in the noble ideals of equality, fraternity, and liberty, testify to its capacity to meet all democratic aspirations of the people. Additionally, the special provisions inserted through the 13th Constitutional Amendment Act, Article 371-A, protect Nagaland’s traditions, customs, laws, and procedures.
Key takeaways from the Governor’s address:
Progress in Governance and Health Care
The state Government has spared no effort to resolve the Naga Political Issue, the governor said, noting that on 21st November 2024, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, accompanied by his Cabinet colleagues, had met with the Union Home Minister to convey the people’s desire for an early and lasting solution to the issue.
He further stated that the government had submitted its comments on the third draft of the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) concerning the proposed Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority to the Ministry of Home Affairs. “Substantial progress has been made on the matter, and it is hoped that remaining concerns of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) will be addressed in the same spirit of brotherhood,” he said.
In the health sector, the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) has significantly expanded, empanelling 65 hospitals within and outside the state. Furthermore, under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), 76 hospitals within Nagaland have been empanelled, benefiting 21,415 individuals. The Chief Minister’s Universal Life Insurance Scheme (CMLIS) also disbursed benefits to 13 families with a budget allocation of `15 crore. Regular health initiatives, such as the Ayushman Arogya Shivir, have further enhanced public healthcare access.
Promoting Tribal Heritage and Organic Farming
The Department of Women Resources Development launched the Protection and Promotion of Tribal Designs Project to preserve traditional attire and modern textile designs. Under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the North East Region (MOVCDNER), 30,500 hectares were brought under organic farming, benefiting over 31,104 farmers. The program has successfully marketed organic produce outside the state through agreements with external companies.
Rural Development and Water Resources
Employment opportunities were bolstered under MGNREGA, generating an average of 31.3 days of work. Additionally, 40.8% of the targeted 48,830 houses under PMAY-Gramin have been completed.
Water management efforts under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan Campaign saw the completion of 29 water harvesting structures across five districts. The Soil & Water Conservation Department aims to distribute over 1,11,000 Soil Health Cards to farmers in 370 villages.
Education Initiatives
Governor Ganesan stressed the importance of education and human development to achieve India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047. In alignment with the National Education Policy, Nagaland has undertaken significant initiatives, including pre-primary education and training programs for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) teachers. Five model schools have documented audiovisual materials and developed teacher-learning resources to support the implementation of the new ECCE curriculum devised by SCERT.
Empowering Women and Children
Under Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, 25 Anganwadi Centers were upgraded in the Kiphire ICDS Project. Mission Vatsalya established five District Child Protection Units and 10 new Child Helpline Centers, while Mission Shakti supports 11 Sakhi Niwas Working Women Hostels and District Hubs for Women Empowerment across 16 districts.
Boosting Fisheries and Infrastructure
The state produced 9,695.71 metric tonnes of fish, with 150 hectares of water bodies developed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). A cluster-based fisheries development initiative benefited 150 farmers in seven districts, while 50 lakh fish seeds were distributed at subsidized rates.
In infrastructure, the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) completed three projects in Tuensang, Longleng, and Noklak districts, covering 35.12 km at a cost of Rs 100.58 crore. Under PMGSY, five bridges were completed. The energy sector saw the commissioning of the 2.4 MW Duilumroi Small Hydro Project in Peren district, costing Rs 40.29 crore.
Empowering Education and Entrepreneurship
The Chief Minister’s Corpus Fund allocated Rs 10 crore for education, entrepreneurship, and skill enhancement. The state government also introduced a `100 lakh allocation per Assembly Constituency for iconic projects under the Local Area Development Programme.
To foster entrepreneurship, 16 Entrepreneur Development Centres (EDCs) were established across districts, with six located in colleges. The Nagaland Startup Portal now hosts 330 startups, generating over 1,000 jobs and a turnover of Rs 58 crore in 2023-24. The Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme organized six technology clinics, while events such as the Exporter State Summit and Buyer-Seller Meets promoted “Brand Nagaland” and the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative.
Urban Development and Housing
Under PMAY-Urban, 85% of the 29,973 beneficiaries completed house construction, with the remaining 15% nearing completion. Rental Housing Projects under the Rajiv Awas Yojana have been completed in Chumoukedima and Medziphema towns. The PM SVANidhi Scheme supported 4,595 street vendors with business loans.
Science, Technology, and Environmental Initiatives
The Department of Science & Technology commissioned the Nagaland Science Mission and conducted the first Round Table Talk on Artificial Intelligence. The Nagaland GIS & Remote Sensing Centre completed landslide inventory mapping using advanced satellite systems and developed drones capable of carrying up to 80 kg. The department also implemented 3D Twin Mapping of all district headquarters, enhancing urban planning and disaster management.
The Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change implemented the Nagaland Forest Management Project, aided by JICA, Japan, focusing on sustainable forestry practices.
Combating Drug Menace, Recognizing Excellence
Law enforcement efforts led to drug seizures worth Rs 1.16 crore. Nagaland Police and the State Excise Department have intensified their fight against drug trafficking. Governor Ganesan also celebrated Hokato Hotozhe Sema, the first Paralympic medalist from Nagaland, who won bronze in the Paris 2024 Paralympics, and announced the upcoming Nagaland Super League, a football initiative to boost the sports ecosystem.
Hornbill Festival
The Governor said the 25th Edition of the Hornbill Festival witnessed one of the most successful editions with record number of events, participants, local, domestic and international tourists. The festival has grown from strength to strength impacting on the State’s economy with a money flow amounting to more than Rs 100 crores.
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