DIMAPUR: Nagaland governor, Nand Kishore Yadav, chaired a review meeting of the Planning & Transformation Department at Lok Bhavan, Kohima on July 31, focusing on the Department’s planning framework, flagship initiatives, geospatial innovations, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the State’s long term development vision.
According to PRO Lok Bhavan, the department’s presentation was made by Principal Secretary & Development Commissioner, Y. Kikheto Sema, who briefed the Governor on core functions including formulation of State development plans, coordination with NITI Aayog, Ministry of DoNER, North Eastern Council (NEC) and other Central Ministries, besides monitoring programmes and guiding departments on planning priorities. The roles of the State Planning Board, State Level Project Implementation & Management Committee, State Project Review Monitoring & Coordination Committee, and the State Land Acquisition Authority were also highlighted.
Kikheto informed that the Annual Plan Outlay for 2026 27 has been approved at Rs. 1,350 crore, covering developmental departments, State share, Local Area Development Programme (LADP), land acquisition, budget initiatives, and support for the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority. The meeting reviewed trends in plan outlays, land acquisition expenditure, and sector wise allocations aimed at balanced and inclusive development. The Governor was apprised of the Department’s role in implementing Centrally sponsored initiatives through MDoNER, NEC, NESIDS and PM DevINE, as well as progress under Aspirational District and Aspirational Block programmes. It was noted that Kiphire continues as Nagaland’s Aspirational District, while Akuhaito, Khongsa and Thonoknyu have been identified as Aspirational Blocks, with Thonoknyu receiving performance based incentives from NITI Aayog.
Reviewing Nagaland’s performance in achieving the SDGs, the Governor was informed about the State’s SDG Vision 2030 and district wise indicators, with Mokokchung, Kohima and Dimapur emerging as leading districts in the NE Region SDG Index.
A significant part of the presentation focused on the Nagaland Institute of Transformation, established with support from NITI Aayog under the State Support Mission. The Institute is preparing the Viksit Nagaland @2047 Vision Document, currently under review and expected to be finalised after approval by the High Level Steering Committee and the State Cabinet.Kikheto observed that Nagaland has undergone significant transformation since attaining statehood and stressed the need for enhanced support from the Government of India. He stated that central funding should be brought at par with other North Eastern States to bridge infrastructure gaps, accelerate socio economic development and implement the State’s long term agenda. Equitable financial support, he said, would strengthen delivery of public services, improve connectivity and create sustainable livelihood opportunities across districts.
The Department also showcased achievements of the Nagaland GIS & Remote Sensing Centre in leveraging geospatial technology, drone applications, artificial intelligence and remote sensing for governance and development. Initiatives included village resource mapping, urban mapping, watershed studies, disaster management, landslide monitoring, PM GatiShakti support, traffic management, medical drone delivery, drone based agriculture, and indigenous drone development. Over 1,300 villages have been mapped, making Nagaland a pioneer in drone based governance in the North East.
The Governor appreciated the Department for adopting technology driven governance and strengthening planning, monitoring and implementation mechanisms. He emphasised evidence based planning, effective coordination, timely execution of projects and optimum utilisation of resources to ensure developmental benefits reach all sections of society. Senior officers of the Planning & Transformation Department and Nagaland GIS & Remote Sensing Centre attended the meeting.
