Says State received over Rs. 64k cr in last 10 years under Modi
Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia claimed that central funding and development efforts in Nagaland had increased significantly under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing the media after almost two hours of a meeting with chief minister Neiphiu Rio, deputy chief minster TR Zeiang, PDA co-chairman and state BJP president Benjamin Yepthomi at Noune Resort on Thursday, Scindia compared the financial allocations over the past two decades, highlighting a steep increase in funds under Modi’s administration, compared to 10 years before that.
Referring to the rise in grants and aid, he mentioned that this had risen from Rs 31,383 crore before to Rs 64,768 crore now, also adding that the Centre had also extended special assistance, including 50-year interest-free loans amounting to Rs 2,290 crore.
He disclosed that tax devolution to Nagaland jumped from Rs 5,405 crore 10 years earlier to nearly Rs 37,000 crore under Modi government. He said Nagaland had received Rs 7,096 in tax devolution in the current fiscal year alone.
Dwelling on the recent achievement in the state under Modi’s leadership, the Union Minister referred to the inauguration of Nagaland’s first medical college in October 2023 and construction of 863 km of national highways, centre’s approval for 208 km of new highway corridors with a capital outlay of Rs 2,709 crore.
On improvement in rail connectivity, he said the state received a second railway station in Shokhuvi after a gap of almost 100 years.
Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, he said around 550 km of roads were initially approved, with an additional 60 km sanctioned under PMGSY-3.
Highlighting the central government’s role as development partner for the north-eastern states, he described Nagaland as a key economic zone and a strategic hub with potential to become the “growth engine” for India’s economy. “Nagaland’s strategic location makes it an entry point to Southeast Asia, presenting substantial possibilities for international partnerships,” he underscored.
Lauding Nagaland’s economic progress, he said the state’s GDP of approximately Rs 48,000 crore witnessed an impressive growth of 8.5-9%, while the impressive performance in sustainable development, scoring 76 points, placed it among India’s top 10 states in the Sustainable Development Goals index.
With regard to air connectivity, Scindia mentioned that the Dimapur Airport was operationalised with additional routes, while the centre funded multi-disciplinary sports complex and women’s entrepreneurship facilitation centre with a capital outlay of Rs 172 crore.
Referring to development in communication infrastructure, he assured to provide 100% 4G mobile coverage across India by mid-2025. He revealed that 310 new 4G sites were planned in the Northeast, with 199 sites already becoming operational and 121 remaining to be operataionalised soon. He said investment in Nagaland’s telecom infrastructure amounted to Rs 1,080 crore.
He also outlined a comprehensive strategy to harness the state’s strengths, explore opportunities, and address challenges in the state. Sharing his plans to attend the Hornbill Festival, he expressed his eagerness for future engagements to further collaborate on the state’s development vision.
Rio, who too was present at the presser, stated that the meeting with Scindia discussed ways to work together and make Nagaland a part of the developed India together with other north-eastern states.
He mentioned that the meeting also discussed the pending works that had not been completed for years, adding that the Department of Planning had assured to furnish all details to the state government by end of January, 2025.
He said the meeting also dwelled on the formation of a new High Level Task Force that would cater to five sectors, particularly sports and tourism. Rio lauded the suggestions by Scindia, assuring that the state government would work on it and give its reaction in a month’s time.