CM Rio underscores lasting peace, prosperity

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has urged all to resolve all kinds of differences and ‘isms’, and unitedly work for the attainment of lasting peace, prosperity, and the highest level of economic development in every nook and corner of the state.

KOHIMA — Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has urged all to resolve to redouble efforts, rise above all kinds of differences and ‘isms’, and unitedly work for the attainment of lasting peace, prosperity, and the highest level of economic development in every nook and corner of the state.

The chief minister was addressing the 77th Indian Independence Day celebration held at the Civil Secretariat Plaza, Kohima, on Tuesday.

“With toil, hard work, and sacrifices of everyone, our State has been able to attain pride of place among all the States in the country. However, we know that we have a lot more to do and many more commitments to fulfil towards our people,” Rio said.

G20 garnered INR 4,500 cr worth investment

Rio said the G20 Business Meet, which witnessed the participation of 60 delegates from 27 countries in Kohima earlier this year, received keen business interests from both national and international business delegates during the meet, with proposals and interests shown for investment of over INR 4,500 crore.

Some major investment proposals received were in the areas of new and renewable energy, health care, agri-allied etc. He said the state government is making concerted efforts to put in place appropriate policies to convert all the expressed business interests into projects on the ground.

11,850 patients availed CMHIS

A total of 11,850 patients have availed the health insurance benefits under the Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) and the PMJAY put together since it was launched on October 14, 2022.

The chief minister also informed that the first medical college in the state, the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR), is all set to start its first academic session 2023-24 with 100 MBBS seat capacity.

New city in the offing

Under the Urban Development Department, a new modern planned city in the state is being developed. A detailed proposal for the incubation of a new city has been submitted to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Rio disclosed that the site identified for this new city is in Chathe valley in Chümoukedima district, spread over an area of around 39 sq. km. The site has been selected keeping in view its very favourable geo-location, climatic conditions, and good connectivity, Rio said.

No objection certificates from all concerned for the land have been taken, and other formalities regarding the same have been completed.

The chief minister added that several investment entities have already shown interest in partnering with the state government in developing the new township.

The proposal of the state government is presently under evaluation in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for selection.

Upcoming projects

The chief minister also mentioned some of the upcoming projects in various departments in the state. The government is also taking up establishment of an Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in the state, which was announced in the Union Budget of 2015-16, but didn’t materialise then. Works are ongoing on roads covering more than 1200 km for an amount of over INR 2,300 crore across the state.

Development of two major hydroelectric projects – 42 MW Lower Tizu HEP and 24 MW Zungki HEP – with project costs of INR 541.12 crore and INR 368.53 crore, respectively, with funding under the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been initiated.

An eco-park at Kohima is in the process of construction. The state is also pursuing the establishment of a Central Hindi Training Institute in Nagaland. The first major solar power plant of 5 MW capacity in Nagaland is nearing completion at Hovukhu Village under Niuland district, Rio said.

A separate Directorate of Minority Affairs was created in April 2023 under the Planning and Transformation department. This will give further impetus to the schemes of the Ministry of Minority Affairs being implemented by the state. Presently, under the PMJVK, there are nine ongoing projects, and as per the revised guidelines, the PMJVK scheme will now be implemented in all the districts of Nagaland, including the aspirational district, he added.

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