Kohima: The 6th Session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly commenced on Monday with the customary address by Governor La Ganesan at the Nagaland Legislative Assembly hall in Kohima.
The Governor, in his speech, reflected on the government’s progress and reiterated its commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of the people as it approaches its third year in office.
Extending his greetings to the members of the House, the Governor termed it an honour and privilege to address the elected representatives of the people. He highlighted the collective efforts made toward a peaceful resolution of the longstanding Naga Political Issue, acknowledging the Assembly’s role in this regard. He recalled the consultative meeting held on September 12, 2024, with apex tribal bodies and civil society organisations to deliberate on the matter.
Expressing gratitude to the members of the House for their cooperation, he also mentioned the meeting between the Chief Minister, his Cabinet colleagues, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on November 21, 2024, where they apprised the Centre of the people’s desire for an early solution. Additionally, the state government submitted its comments on the third draft of the Memorandum of Settlement concerning the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) to the Ministry of Home Affairs on November 6, 2024. Two rounds of discussions—one in New Delhi and another in Chümoukedima—have been held, and the Governor expressed optimism that any remaining concerns of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) would be addressed.
During his address, the Governor also outlined the government’s achievements in the ongoing financial year and its future programs, with a strong focus on agriculture and allied sectors. He stated that around 70% of the state’s population depends on agriculture. Under the Digital Agriculture Mission, initiatives such as an integrated web-based Geo-Portal and a geo-cloud-based mobile application have been launched.
As of January 31, 2025, under the PM-KISAN scheme, a total of 2,21,931 farmers have benefitted, with ₹620 crore directly credited to their bank accounts. Furthermore, under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the North East Region (MOVCDNER), 30,500 hectares of land have been brought under organic cultivation, benefiting 31,104 farmers. The state government has also signed MoUs with companies outside Nagaland to market organic produce beyond the state’s borders.
In the livestock sector, under the National Livestock Mission (NLM), the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services established 26 pig breeding farms in 2024-25 through credit linkage, producing 35,200 piglets and an additional 88 tonnes of meat. To address animal diseases, three veterinary hospitals are being constructed in Chümoukedima, Niuland, and Shamator at an estimated cost of ₹250 lakh.
The cooperative sector recovered ₹343.25 lakh over four years, and data on 8,020 cooperative societies was uploaded to the National Cooperative Database. The Horticulture Department identified 16 model villages across districts, covering 340 hectares, and promoted cash crops through events like the Cucumber Festival in Mokokchung and the Organic King Chilli Festival in Kohima.
Under the Silk Samagra-2 Programme, 800 beneficiaries were trained, generating employment for 17,350 people. Soil and water conservation efforts benefited 74,000 farmers, while 6,000 hectares of acidic soil are being treated under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). The state also plans to distribute 1.11 lakh soil health cards.
Under MGNREGA, 65.94 lakh person-days of employment were generated as of February 11, 2025. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) saw the construction of 8,191 houses in 2024-25, with a total of 20,569 houses completed so far.
The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) provided 3,37,174 functional household tap connections (FHTC), covering 1,135 of 1,548 rural villages. Nagaland achieved 100 percent Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and is now focused on ODF Plus activities under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II.
The Water Resources Department aims to complete 270 Surface Minor Irrigation Schemes by March 2025 at a cost of ₹206 crore and has completed 262 Groundwater Irrigation Schemes across five districts.
The Food and Civil Supplies Department achieved 100 percent online allocation and supply chain management, earning a commendation from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
In mineral exploration, the Department of Geology and Mining is conducting coal surveys in Mokokchung and exploring iron ore deposits in Kiphire and Meluri. Limestone exploration is also underway in Kiphire district. The state strengthened its chemical lab with a Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (WD-XRF) facility, and efforts continue to resolve pending issues on oil and gas exploration in the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) with Assam.
He stated that the Power Department had completed the award process for tenders under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), with the Government of India sanctioning Rs 667 crore for the project. Under the Green Village Initiative, 23 villages were selected for the distribution of free LED lights. To ensure reliable power supply, the Nagarjan Substation is being upgraded at a cost of Rs 24 crore, while a new substation with associated transmission lines is under construction in Chümoukedima district to meet Dimapur’s increasing load demand.
The governor also mentioned the installation of seven rooftop solar panels with a capacity of 24.11 kWp under the PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. An additional Rs 20 crore under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment is being used to install 18,000 smart prepaid meters in Dimapur and Kohima. A 2.4 MW Duilumroi Small Hydro Project in Peren district, built at a cost of Rs 40 crore, has also been completed, with further initiatives planned to harness solar power.
In renewable energy, a 5 MW solar power plant was installed at Hovukhu village in Niuland district, with Phase II of the project expected to be completed within this financial year. Another 5 MW solar power plant is under development at Zhadima and Teichuma villages.
The governor lauded the Public Works Department (PWD) for launching the Online Management and Information System (OMIS), which integrates data from the Roads & Bridges, Housing, National Highway, and Mechanical departments, enhancing transparency and efficiency.
Further, the Department of New and Renewable Energy has installed a 5 MW Solar Power Plant (Phase- I) at Hovukhu Village under Niuland district. Phase-II of the project with similar capacity and at the same location is also expected to be completed this FY. A Solar Power Plant of capacity 5MW at Zhadima Village/Teichuma village is also under implementation.
The Governor said that the Nagaland PWD has developed and launched the Online Management and Information System (OMIS). The system will cover Road & Bridges, Housing, National highway and Mechanical departments. OMIS will also enable access to department data “anywhere anytime” which in turn will greatly enhance operational efficiency, transparency and help in data-based planning. The Public Works Department (Roads & Bridges) has also completed Six (6) Roads covering 108.50 kilometres under PMGSY, 3 Roads covering 46.34 kilometres under NESIDS (Roads) and One (1) bridge with a span of 20 metres under CRF scheme. More than 95 (ninety-five) Roads/Bridges projects covering the entire length and breadth of the state is being undertaken by the Department during this FY. A few of the important projects being undertaken by the PWD (Housing) include Speaker’s Official Quarters at NLA, Old Speaker Quarter at New Capital Complex, ITC Complex guest house & staff quarter and State Data Centre (SDC) at Directorate of Information Technology and Communication.
A few of the initiatives being undertaken by the PWD (National Highways) include, widening of 88.55 kms under NH 61 (New NH-2), strengthening of Dimapur City Portion Road from Dillai Gate to Tragopan Junction under NH-36, Widening of Existing Single Lane to Intermediate Lane from Mokokchung to Chare via Dikhu and projects for Improvement of Riding Quality on NH-702A. The Department has completed the Rehabilitation of Dimapur Road over Bridge (RoB) between Tragopan Junction and Burma Camp under NH-29, the Governor added.
The Civil Administration Works Department, has completed the Public Ground at D.C. Office Complex at Chumoukedima, Conference Hall at Chief Secretary’s Bungalow, ADC Office at Pughoboto, G.A. Rest House at Pfutsero, Phek, G.A. Rest House at Hoshepu EAC HQ, Zunheboto, Flat type Qtr (Type-B) with site & services at ADC HQ Mangkolemba, Mokokchung, and ADC Office at Akuluto.
The Governor further said that the State is steadily making progress on Industrialization front, a total of 32,017 MSME units are registered in the State as on January 2025. The State Startup Policy, since its launch in 2019 has institutionalized Five Incubator Institutions, established Entrepreneurship Development Centres in Sixteen schools and six colleges across the State and promoted 330 Startups as on date. Nagaland has recently been acknowledged as the State with 200% surge in new Startup formations.
The Motor Vehicles Department has entered into collaboration with HDFC Bank for facilitation of e-challan and payment gateway. The digital payment services facility was launched across all the RTO and DTO offices across the State. NST has inducted 5 (Five) New Buses during the year 2024.
The Urban Development Department, to cater to the Street Vendors has completed a marketing shed at Medziphema and 2 Marketing sheds are under construction at Chiephobozou and Shamator. Under the PM SVANidhi Scheme, so far, 4595 Street Vendors have availed loans enabling them to diversify their business. During 2024-25, 41 SHGs were formed and 40 SHGs have availed Revolving Fund through DBT under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM).
Urban Local Body Elections were held to 3 Municipal and 22 Town Councils, barring the 14 Town Councils under Eastern Nagaland districts. One-third of seats were reserved for women and the process was successfully and peacefully conducted after a long gap of 20 years. Poll was held on June 26, 2024 and the results declared on June 29, 2024. Out of 523 candidates in the fray for 278 seats, 198 women candidates contested. 103 of women candidates won the elections representing 37% (against the mandatory 33%) of the seats that went to polls.
On Health, Education, Labour and other social sectors the Governor said that Human Capital Formation which includes health and education attainments are as important as physical capital for economic growth of the State. The School Education Department has under the NECTAR Project introduced the Smart Attendance Management and Informative Leaves (SMILE) system for employee, and the Teacher Attendance Management System (TAMS). The Department is establishing one Lighthouse School Complex (LSC) in each of the 16 districts of the State. Under Samagra Shiksha programme, the Department completed the construction of 11 new school buildings for Elementary, 7 Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools and 15 Residential Quarters. 5 (five) Government Middle Schools (GMS) and one Govt. Primary School (GPS) were approved for upgradation to GHS and GMS respectively.
The Governor mentioned that the state is among the first in the country to upload a short video clip on ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All Society) across various Social Media platforms and YouTube channels. The National Means Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) Examination – 2025 was conducted on 2nd November, 2024. 486 students appeared in the examination from 12 Districts and 180 students have been selected for the Scholarship.
In the health sector, the Governor said that the Health and Family Welfare Department, under the CMHIS has empanelled 66 hospitals outside Nagaland and 66 within Nagaland. 17,501 claims have been approved by the Government and 11,638 claims have been settled. Under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), 77 hospitals are empanelled within Nagaland. 30,379 claims have been approved and 22,914 claims have been settled as on 16th February 2025.
The Governor said that under the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Abhiyan, additional nutrition support to TB patients from willing donors called Nikshay Mitras is being provided. The support is in the form of once-a-month food baskets (containing protein, cereals, oils) & vitamin supplements for a minimum of 6 months. Currently, about 387 donors including the Governor, Ao Baptist Church in Dimapur & Mokokchung have come forward to support more than a thousand (1000) beneficiaries who are undergoing TB treatment.
Under the National Ayush Mission, training and distribution of Medicinal plants were conducted at 10 (ten) locations covering 6 (six) districts – Tuensang, Phek, Longleng, Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung. Herbal Gardens were set up at Kisama and Yingli College, Longleng, sponsored by National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of AYUSH.
The Department of Labour, under the e-SHRAM portal has registered 2,32,758 unorganized workers in Nagaland. Social Security benefits/Welfare Schemes for unorganized workers run by the different Ministries/ State Government, in the future is expected to be delivered through this portal.
Under the Tribal Affairs Department, there are 3 (three) functional Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) Nagaland at EMRS- Diphupar, EMRS Tuensang and EMRS-Tizit, Mon. 744 students have enrolled for the Academic Year 2024-25. 11 (eleven) new EMRSs are being constructed. The Tribal Affairs Department is implementing 19 (Nineteen) new projects Ministry of Tribal Affairs, amounting to ₹20.7 cr. Under the Pradhan Mantri Aadi Adarsh Gram Yojana, 530 villages have been selected with each village receiving ₹20.38 lakh as a gap filling fund for various development projects. 208 villages have been covered and the rest are expected to be covered by 2026.
The Minority Affairs Department is implementing the following projects- Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex at Naga Ki Global City Chumoukedima (Phase-I) and 3 (three) units of Women Entrepreneurship Facilitation Centers in Kohima, Mokokchung & Tuensang districts, Library-cum Conference Hall at Zunheboto District. The Department proposes to undertake, Holy Land Tour to Israel, a new Directorate building at Thizama and other development projects such as marketing sheds and public amenities in the near future.
The Women Resources Development Department, has initiated the programme for Protection and Promotion of Tribal Designs Project. This programme is expected to promote and safeguard the rich traditional attires and modern textile designs. 5 (five) beneficiaries each from all the 17 major tribes were selected to undergo training on weaving (Fly Shuttle Loom) in collaboration with the Weavers Service Centre, Ministry of Textiles, GoI based in Dimapur. The Department also initiated the Myki Village Adoption Initiative at Khonoma Village.
The Social Welfare Department, under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), provided assistance through DBT to 7,563 beneficiaries. Under Mission Vatsalya, there are 44 child care institutions, covering an average of 699 children under Sponsorship and Foster Care Benefits. Assistance is provided under National Social Assistance Programme to 63,678 beneficiaries across the State.
On Tourism, Art & Culture, YR&S, Employment and Information & Public Relations, the Governor said that the future of our State is dependent as much on the soft power capabilities as on the resource strength and physical and human capital availability in our State, where in the 25th edition of the Hornbill Festival, attracted 2,05,968 attendees, including 2,527 international and 56,217 domestic tourists. The inflows of tourists have a positive impact on the economy of the State providing additional employment opportunities in the State. To enhance the tourist experience, the Government provided training to homestay owners, taxi operators and tour operators. A local taxi-hailing service, Ura Cabs was also launched in the run-up to this edition of the Hornbill Festival. Key achievements of the Tourism Department were the completion of Phase-I Development of the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama. This phase included expansion of the parking lot, construction of toilet blocks, increasing the seating capacity to approximately 7000, among other improvements.
The Phase-2 Development of the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama has commenced with plans on upgrading the VIP rostrum and the main stage to international standards. Additionally, under Swadesh 2.0, Eco-tourism Experience at Chumoukedima Viewpoint and Tribal Cultural Experience at Midway Retreat, Chumoukedima has been initiated. The Department is focusing on projecting the State as a Green Destination to achieve the goals enshrined in the Nagaland Tourism Policy 2024. Konyak Heritage Complex at Mon is also nearing completion.
The Department of Art &Culture marked a milestone with the release of the Anglo-Poula (Chakhesang) Dictionary in October. The Subhas Chandra Bose Memorial Indoor Stadium at Phesama and the Artist Dormitory has been successfully completed by the Department. Under Special Assistance to State for Capital Investment (SASCI) 2023- 24, a Children & Adolescence Library and Digital Infrastructure is being implemented by the Department. Till date, 68 libraries have been constructed in various Districts.
The 9 (nine) Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) under the Department of Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, provides training across 16 trades, including 12 engineering and 4 non-engineering disciplines. So far, 11,092 trainees have successfully passed the All India Trade Test. Under the Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) project, a Center of Excellence for Media & Entertainment is being established in collaboration with the Media & Entertainment Skill Council.
Mentioning the Department of Information & Public Relations the Governor said that to keep up with the mobile age, the department has developed a user-friendly app, DIPR Nagaland Mobile App compatible with Android phones, which can be downloaded from Google Play Store. Seven (7) well equipped Multi Media Mobile Vehicles to cater to broadcasting of various awareness and educational videos, documentaries etc were flagged-off during this FY. Considering the importance of films and its impact on our society, the Department has sent representatives from Nagaland to the 29th Busan International Film Festival in South Korea, the 55th International Film Festival of India in Goa and the 18th Mumbai International Film Festival.
The Governor further said that the government has introduced the Nagaland Super League (NSL), a prospective self-sustainable football league, on the 28th Jan 2025 and Nagaland has also hosted the 3rd North East Games in March 2024, bringing together athletes and officials from all eight North-eastern states. With a remarkable performance surge, the state’s gold medal tally jumped from 19th to 48th in the third edition, securing second place overall—a testament to the government’s dedication to sports and athlete development. The Department also organized the 68 National School Games in SepakTakraw U-19 Girls Championship at IG Stadium from 25th -27th November 2024, with 17 states competing. Nagaland won the Silver Medal. Recognizing the global growth of e-sports, the department also hosted the inaugural Hornbill e-sports Championship on 6th and 7th of December 2024 at IG Stadium.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) scheme, the Department of Youth Resources and Sports targets to provide skill training to 1,050 youths across three job roles for one year, sponsored by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The Pre-fabricated Centre for Excellence in Music & Arts (CEMA) at TaFMA, Kohima, has been completed.
The Department of Fire & Emergency Services has constructed 15 Rainwater harvesting Reservoirs along with deep bore wells for its utility towards fire prevention and safety in the State, under SASCI covering ten districts. Of these, 3 are in Kohima, 3 in Kiphire, 2 in Peren and one (1) each in Chumoukedima, Longleng, Mokokchung, Mon, Phek, Wokha and Zunheboto Districts. The Prisons Department completed the construction of Petrol Pump at District Jail, Dimapur. This is intended to provide employment to jail inmates as part of rehabilitation and reforms on release from imprisonment and will help them earn and lead a better life.
During the fiscal year 2024-25, a significant allocation of ₹ 10.00 crores was made under the Chief Minister’s Corpus Fund (CMCF) to support initiatives aimed at fostering education, entrepreneurship and skill enhancement across different sectors. At present, there are 29 ongoing projects (including erstwhile NLCPR) under NESIDS (OTRI) for total approved cost of ₹ 526.83 crores. Under the PM-DeVINE, at present there are 4(four) ongoing projects for total approved cost of ₹ 376.87 crores. The North Eastern Council (NEC) is undertaking 74 projects in various sectors in different districts in Nagaland. The Nagaland GIS & Remote Sensing Centre carried out comprehensive mapping for all District Headquarters and Towns, integration of urban data and reconstructions, Drone Technology providing near real-time data for more effective planning and management.
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