Union Minister of State for Rural Development Kamlesh Paswan reviewed the implementation of key rural development schemes in Nagaland during his official visit from January 23 to 24, with officials presenting progress reports on the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) and the Lakhpati Didi Initiative.
During a review meeting with district officials in Dimapur, Paswan interacted with beneficiaries and stressed the need for “effective implementation of Central Government programmes at the grassroots level” to ensure inclusive growth and improved rural livelihoods.
Emphasising accountability, the Union Minister said the success of rural development schemes depends on “transparency, timely execution and active participation of local stakeholders,” urging officials to ensure benefits reach “the poor and marginalised sections of society.”
According to data presented during the review, 13,409 women have been mobilised into 1,665 Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Dimapur district under DAY-NRLM. Officials stated that Rs 3,985.72 lakh has been released as capitalisation support to facilitate access to institutional credit and promote livelihood activities.
The district administration further claimed that 1,006 Community Resource Persons have been developed to strengthen last-mile delivery of livelihood and financial services.
Under the Lakhpati Didi initiative, officials said 425 women in Dimapur have achieved Lakhpati status, with reported annual incomes ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh, generated through farm and non-farm livelihood activities.
At the State level, officials of the Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM) informed the Union Minister that against a target of 30,000 Lakhpati Didis, over 33,000 SHG members have been identified as potential beneficiaries.
They further stated that 5,483 women have so far been nurtured into Lakhpatis, with reported annual incomes between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 5 lakh. According to officials, a significant portion of the income has been generated through farm-based activities, with animal husbandry cited as a major contributor.
Officials maintained that the DAY-NRLM and Lakhpati Didi initiatives are intended to promote women’s entrepreneurship, sustainable livelihoods and economic self-reliance, and to contribute to rural transformation in Nagaland.