North East to get ‘new momentum and identity: MoS Nimuben

Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya Saturday said the Centre was committed to accelerating development in North East and making the region self-reliant under the leadership of Narendra Modi.
Addressing a press briefing at Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex, Chümoukedima, concluding her three-day visit to Nagaland, she said the government had laid special emphasis on giving North Eastern states “new momentum and a new identity.” Bambhaniya said welfare schemes were being implemented to reach every section of society, including the poor, farmers, youth, women and marginalised groups. During her visit, she met district officials, reviewed developmental initiatives, and interacted with residents to assess ground-level implementation.
She said she visited anganwadi centres, health facilities, schools and Fair Price Shops, and interacted with self-help groups and beneficiaries of various schemes. Highlighting food security measures, she noted that free rations were being provided to 80 crore beneficiaries under what she described as the world’s largest food programme.
Referring to Nagaland’s cultural and tourism potential, Bambhaniya said the state’s natural beauty and events such as the Hornbill Festival attract visitors from across India and abroad, adding that the region holds vast opportunities for growth.
Reiterating the Centre’s guiding principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas,” she stressed the importance of the Make in India initiative and promoting “Vocal for Local” to support local handicrafts, handlooms and agricultural products from Dimapur in reaching wider markets.
She emphasised skill development for youth and women as key to self-reliance and said empowering women through self-help groups remained a priority.
Citing the “Lakhpati Didi” initiative, she said 1.25 crore women had achieved the milestone nationwide, with a target of three crore in the coming years.
The minister expressed hope that Nagaland and the wider North East would continue to progress under the Prime Minister’s leadership.
On the sidelines of the Minister’s press conference, Deputy Commissioner Dimapur, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, responded to queries regarding the suspension of rice distribution at fair price shops since December.
He informed that he had spoken with the District Civil Supplies Officer a day earlier and was told that the previous stockist had terminated the supply contract after December, resulting in disruption of rice distribution in January.
However, he stated that a new stockist has since been appointed and supply resumed from February. He added that stocks for both January and February have already been lifted, and distribution has commenced in Padumpukhuri.