Focus on Kiphire’s progress, infrastructure, and financial inclusion
Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday virtually inaugurated two major SASCI-funded projects in Nagaland, a multipurpose hall at Phek and a guest house for administrative officers at Zunheboto, and reviewed the state’s ongoing capital investment programmes with Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Ministers T.R. Zeliang and Y. Patton, and senior officials.
Speaking to the media after the review, Sitharaman said her visit focused on monitoring the Aspirational District of Kiphire, particularly whether key socio-economic indicators in health, education, nutrition, farming, and women’s empowerment have reached saturation levels.
“Union Ministers have visited the Northeast more than 700 times, and the Prime Minister himself over 70 times,” she said, underscoring the Centre’s commitment to the region’s development.
On road quality, she stressed transparency and contractor accountability, noting that the National Highways Authority of India blacklists firms that fail to meet standards. She acknowledged that post-monsoon damage affects roads nationwide, not only in Nagaland, and said efforts are underway to find lasting solutions.
Addressing financial inclusion, Sitharaman highlighted significant gains in banking access, with the number of villages without a banking touchpoint dropping from over 1,153 to just 15. Efforts are ongoing to cover the remaining unserved villages.
The Minister said the SASCI projects reflect the Centre’s commitment to improving infrastructure and accelerating development in Nagaland.