Nagaland has requested the Union Finance Ministry to extend the project timelines under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, citing constraints in completing projects with longer gestation periods. The request was made during a State Dinner hosted by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in honour of Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the State Banquet Hall, Kohima, on 14 November 2025.
Speaking on behalf of the State Government, Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen, IAS, thanked the Union Minister for funds allocated under SASCI but said the one-year completion timeframe was limiting for infrastructure projects. He urged the Finance Ministry to consider expanding the duration so that the State can “take up projects with longer gestation period.”
The Chief Secretary also presented key updates on financial inclusion, noting that the number of unbanked blocks, which stood at 27 in 2022, has now fallen to 18. He attributed the improvement to the inauguration of the Nagaland Rural Bank at Wakching, Mon district, which he said has brought “the public of these areas within the ambit of true financial inclusion.”
Imchen highlighted that the Chief Minister’s Micro Finance Initiative, launched in Sitharaman’s presence during her previous visit, has since become “one of the State’s most impactful programmes,” supporting farmers, entrepreneurs and women-led SHGs through affordable credit.
He recalled that Sitharaman’s role at the Nagaland CSR and Investment Conclave 2022 helped catalyse CSR projects in education, healthcare and livelihood sectors. He said her visit to Kiphire – “the remotest district of the State”- demonstrated her “keen interest and concern towards the people of Nagaland.”
As part of the State Dinner, the Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA) presented cultural performances including folk songs, folk dances, a children’s choir and Hindi songs. Senior AHoDs and HoDs attended the event.