The issue of unemployment dominated the first day of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Monsoon session, with Advisors, Ministers and MLAs engaging in an extensive discussion initiated by Advisor for Industries & Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu.
Opening the debate, Jakhalu noted that Nagaland is one of the youngest states in the country with 40% of its population between the ages of 15 to 35 as per the 2011 Census. She said that in the next 15–20 years this demographic will become the main drivers of the state’s socio-economic affairs. However, she cautioned that while the proportion of educated youth has risen, “growth in the rate of employment opportunities still remain to be very slow, in the government and private sector alike.”
She drew a distinction between “unemployed” and “unemployable,” calling the former a symptom and the latter an illness. “To tackle the illness, the Government of the day needs to fix the unemployment issue,” she asserted, while emphasizing reforms in education, internships, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurship support.
Jakhalu also highlighted that although capacity building programs are being pursued, they have received lukewarm response due to lack of financial incentives. She further called for improvement in the power and road sectors to attract investors.
Advisor, School Education & SCERT, Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, underlined the need to uphold dignity of labour. He revealed that under the Nagaland Minimum Wage Act, 2025, the state’s wage levels are the lowest in the country, and urged the creation of a proper salary structure based on job categories. Stressing the need for vocational training, he announced that the department will launch a ‘SOAR Mission’ programme on September 5 to upscale vocational curriculum in schools.
Other legislators supplemented the discussion:
· Advisor Temjenmenba (Transport and Technical Education) emphasized skill development under NEP 2020 and the need for departments such as IT, Industries & Commerce, and Technical Education to produce skilled workers.
· Advisor TN Mannen (Law & Justice, Land Revenue) said that Nagaland’s young population is its biggest asset but underscored the importance of an investment-friendly atmosphere with power, internet and infrastructure.
· Advisor Wangpang Konyak (Social Welfare) pointed to over-dependence on government jobs and misaligned curricula, urging youth to look beyond white-collar jobs.
· Minister Temjen Imna Along (Tourism and Higher Education) presented data showing that unemployment in Nagaland rose from 4.3% to 7.1% post-COVID — a 65% surge — with urban areas hit hardest. He attributed this to limited private sector growth and lack of work culture.
· MLA Dr. Neisatuo Mero warned that unchecked unemployment could give rise to undesirable social elements, while also noting opportunities in secondary trades like masonry and carpentry if youths are properly skilled.
· MLA Achumbemo Kikon called for policies addressing both educated and uneducated youth, stressing entrepreneurship over oversaturated government offices.
Concluding the discussion, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio described unemployment as a “burning issue.” He directed the Department of Employment & Skill Development to study the matter and recommend corrective measures.
Rio further said the state must reduce dependency on government employment and instead support entrepreneurship. He highlighted government initiatives including free skill development programs, collateral-free microfinance loans under IDAN, and promotion of handloom and handicrafts. “The state should turn the crisis of today into a foundation of a stronger self-reliant tomorrow,” he remarked.
CM Rio introduces key bills, presents reports; committee reports tabled
On the first day of the Seventh Session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly at NLA Hall, Chief Minister and Leader of the House, Dr. Neiphiu Rio, introduced the Nagaland State Finance Commission Bill, 2025 and the Nagaland Flood Plain Zoning Bill, 2025 on the floor of the House.
Dr. Rio also presented the Annual Administrative Report 2024-2025 of the Department of Agriculture, the Nagaland Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules, 2024 as amended by the 2022 Rules, and the Nagaland Khadi & Village Industries Board Audit Report for 2020-2021 to 2022-2023.
Several committee chairpersons tabled important reports during the session. Achumbemo Kikon, Chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Climate (2025-2026), presented the Internal Working Rules of the Committee on Environment and Climate Change, while KT Sukhalu, Chairperson of the Committee on Urban Local Bodies and Nagaland Village Councils, presented the Internal Working Rules of the Committee on Urban Local Bodies and Nagaland Village Councils, aligned with the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2023 and the Nagaland Village and Tribal Councils Act, 1978 (as amended up to 2022).
Dr Sukhato A Sema, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Undertakings (2025-2026), tabled multiple reports relating to government actions on audit observations and recommendations. These included the 149th to 154th Reports examining the Comptroller & Auditor General of India’s reports for 2018-2019, 2019-2020, and 2021-2022, pertaining to the Nagaland Hotels & Tourism Development Corporation Limited (NHTDC) and the Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation (NIDC) under the Department of Industries and Commerce.
Zhaleo Rio, Chairperson of the Committee on Subordinate Legislation (2025-2026), presented the 85th Report on the Nagaland Coal Mining (First Amendment) Rules, 2014 and the 86th Report on the Nagaland Land Resources Development Service Rules, 2008 (Class-I and Class-II).
The Secretary-in-Charge of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Secretariat also informed the House about the assent of the Governor of Nagaland to several Bills, including the Nagaland Appropriation (No.1, 2, 3) Bill, 2025, the Nagaland Goods and Services Tax (Tenth Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Nagaland Town and Country Planning (Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Nagaland Work-Charged and Casual Employees Regulation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Rules for Administration of Justice and Police in Nagaland (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2025.
PAP reimposed in Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram; CM Rio reiterates opposition to FMR
The Protected Area Permit (PAP) has been reimposed in Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland from December 17, 2024 due to security concerns along the border areas, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister-in-charge of Home and Border Affairs, Y. Patton, informed the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on the first day of the Seventh Session of the 14th Assembly.
Patton, replying to a starred question by MLA Achumbemo Kikon on PAP and border fencing, said, “As of today, there is no report of an active fencing along the 215 km stretch of the India-Myanmar border in the State.”
Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio, responding to a question on FMR, reiterated the Cabinet’s decision opposing PAP and FMR. He said that during a meeting with the Union Home Minister, he conveyed the State Government’s decision and expressed hope that the Government of India will review the demands of Nagaland.
PMGSY Package-3 delayed; Road projects progress only 17%
Physical progress of the PMGSY Package-3 Road projects in Nagaland stands at 17% while financial progress is only 6%, Minister for Roads & Bridges, G. Kaito Aye, told the Legislative Assembly on Monday.
Replying to a question by MLA Nuklutoshi, the Minister stated that the timeline for the projects has been extended to March 2026 by the Ministry of Rural Development. He attributed the delay to non-payment of contractor bills as the Online Management Monitoring and Accounting System (OMMAS) was locked by the Ministry from March 2024 to March 2025.
Kaito said, “The delay was caused due to the non-payment of bills since OMMAS was locked for one year. The projects are ongoing and the timeline has been extended to March 2026.”
MLA Nienu urges data-driven approach to ensure tribal representation in state employment
Concerns over proportional employment and reservation in Nagaland’s state government were raised on the first day of the Seventh Session of the 14th Assembly.
MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu, while raising a question, said that although he supports reviewing the Reservation policy, he opposed the agitation associated with it. He pointed out that “the number of employees in the State Government is not proportionate to its population.”
Nienu suggested that the competent authority should compile data on the total population of all tribes and the number of employees across departments to determine proportional representation.
Debate on prohibition of satanic worship deferred
The Nagaland Legislative Assembly has deferred the scheduled discussion on the issue of the Prohibition of Satanic Worship. The matter, raised by MLA Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu as one of urgent public importance, was slated for discussion in the House today. However, it was postponed at the request of the Speaker and the Chief Minister, who cited the need for further research on the subject. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Assembly session, MLA Nienu expressed concern over the alleged rise of Satanic practices in the state.
MLA Pongshi Phom stresses importance of GST for revenue
During the Zero Hour on the first day of the Seventh Session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, MLA A. Pongshi Phom highlighted the critical role of Goods & Services Tax (GST) in strengthening the State’s revenue.
Speaking at the NLA Hall, Phom described GST as “the backbone of the State’s revenue and a major source of income to the State exchequer.” He added that Nagaland has potential for developing industries in food packaging, including pickles, juices, and biofuels, which would not only generate employment opportunities but also increase GST collections.
Phom pointed out a sharp difference between VAT and GST collections. He noted that State GST revenue recorded remarkable year-on-year growth, rising 104% in June 2025, following growth of 43% in April and 44% in May. He attributed this growth to internal reforms, skill development, strengthened enforcement, and compliance by the business community.
The MLA suggested expanding GST to new areas such as commercial house rent, sand and stone chips, and unauthorized transporters to further boost state revenue. He also emphasized the need for amendments to GST laws, which have not been reviewed since their introduction. Phom urged DDOs in government departments to ensure that GSTR-7 (monthly TDS returns) are filed on time before insisting on Tax Clearance Certificates, so contractors and suppliers do not face unnecessary difficulties.
He further proposed the formation of a State GST Grievance Redressal Committee comprising government representatives, trade bodies, tax practitioners, and professionals.
Responding to the discussion, Leader of the House, Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio, said preventing leakages in GST collections is a top priority for the State. He highlighted that GST is the main source of income for Nagaland and stressed that “no government can survive without paying taxes.” Dr. Rio urged the public and all responsible citizens to develop the habit of paying taxes on time.