CM Neiphiu Rio says PAC will intensify efforts for early Naga political solution, reiterates commitment during Republic Day address.
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KOHIMA — Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday said Nagaland government remains fully committed to an early and honourable solution to the Naga political issue and that the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) will intensify its efforts as an active facilitator in the peace process.
Addressing the 77th Republic Day celebrations at Civil Secretariat Plaza in Kohima, Rio said the PAC, comprising all ministers, advisors, representatives of all political parties and the Members of Parliament from the state, has been holding meetings to review all major issues relating to the Naga political issue and will step up its engagement.
Maintaining that the unresolved issue continues to affect every aspect of life in the state, Rio said its non-settlement remains “an issue of paramount importance” and hinders collective efforts towards higher levels of development. He appealed to the negotiating parties and all stakeholders to heed the aspirations of the people and not let go of the opportunity to arrive at an honourable, acceptable and inclusive solution without further delay.
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He also said the state government is committed to addressing disparities and grievances in eastern Nagaland and is moving forward in full understanding with the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) for the creation of Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA). In this regard, he said, the government has already communicated its views and comments to the Centre.
The chief minister, who unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute—a role traditionally performed by the Governor in previous years—extended Republic Day greetings and paid tribute to the founding fathers of the nation. He reaffirmed commitment to the constitutional values of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
Development initiatives
Reviewing major development initiatives, Rio said more than 2.38 lakh farmers in Nagaland have benefited under PM-KISAN, with over INR 763 crore credited directly into their individual bank accounts. He also said the state is implementing the National Mission on Natural Farming since 2024–25 to promote nature-based and sustainable farming practices.
The CM said the department has engaged AG Horizon Pvt Ltd as the Programme Management Unit and consultancy to spearhead implementation of its initiatives and for the identification and formulation of projects.
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Rio informed that Rural Development department, under MGNREGA, generated more than 88 lakh person-days during 2025–26 and provided employment to 2.64 lakh households. To ensure a scientific and holistic approach to village-level planning, GIS-based plans are being prepared for all villages, while the department is working to strengthen traditional local bodies through training and capacity-building under the Revamped RGSA.
On healthcare, Rio said claim payouts under PM-JAY and Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme have exceeded INR 450 crore since inception. He said over 5.78 lakh PM-JAY and CMHIS (General) cards and 1.92 lakh CMHIS (EP) cards have been issued, benefiting more than one lakh people. He added that preventive healthcare has been prioritised, with a memorandum of understanding signed with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to build a food safety ecosystem in the state.
On infrastructure, Rio said the PWD (Roads and Bridges) is undertaking 11 road projects under NESIDS covering 205.92 km. Under SASCI during 2025–26, work is ongoing on one RCC bridge of 25-metre span and 56 road projects covering 463.05 km at a cost of INR 382.20 crore. Under PMGSY, 545.12 km of rural roads are being taken up using eco-friendly FDR technology.
He said the PWD (National Highways) is carrying out repair and rehabilitation of seven bridges on NH-202 under Tuensang and Kiphire divisions and is also taking up one-time improvement of NH-29 from Jotsoma bypass junction to Lerie welcome gate. A proposal is also in place to widen NH-202 from Chare Town Junction to Akhegwo to two lanes with paved shoulders.
On power infrastructure, Rio said the transformation capacity of the 132/66/33 kV Nagarjan sub-station in Dimapur has been upgraded from 200 MVA to 350 MVA to ensure reliable power supply. He said installation of optical ground wire is under implementation to establish fast and reliable communication between substations and generating stations across the state.
In the education sector, he said the State Level Education Committee has approved a three-month certificate course for language teachers and officials of recognised languages in collaboration with Nagaland University. He also said guidelines on coaching centres have been approved to regulate registration, safety, fee structures, teacher qualifications and ethical practices. Seven government middle schools have been approved for upgradation to high schools.
On higher education, Rio said construction of a library building at Sao Chang College, Tuensang, and an administrative building at Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung, is being carried out during 2025–26. He also said three polytechnics have received NBA accreditation and that the upgradation of Khelhoshe Polytechnic, Atoizu, to a degree college is making progress. An MoU with ARMS Incorporation, Japan, is also in the offing, with employment for technical graduates as its focus.
To meet the demand for skilled construction workers, Rio said the Labour department is setting up a Skill Centre for the Construction Sector in partnership with the Construction Skill Development Council. He also said the department has introduced a new online system for registration and licensing to improve governance, enhance transparency and make public services more accessible.
Rio also highlighted initiatives across agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, environment, tourism and social welfare sectors. He said these include plans for apple and mushroom processing units, promotion of the GI-tagged tree tomato, expansion of horticulture area, mass vaccination of bovines, establishment of pork production units and a table fish production farm, and notification of over 200 community reserves covering nearly 80,000 hectares under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
He said one-stop centres are now operational in all 17 districts for women and children affected by gender-based violence, while tourism continues to grow with support from eco-tourism and infrastructure initiatives.
The chief minister also highlighted initiatives in renewable energy, drinking water, urban development, industry, mining and disaster management and said that the Urban Development department has secured an Asian Development Bank loan for preparing urban infrastructure projects, while bioremediation of legacy waste is ongoing in 12 urban local bodies. He said minerals exploration has been accelerated with two coal blocks targeted for detailed exploration, iconic projects are being implemented in the six eastern districts, and a high-performance supercomputing system, ELIONA, is being developed for disaster risk governance.
Rio said Nagaland will host the 9th North East Youth Festival in March, bringing together more than 1,200 youths from across the region.
On law and order, he said Nagaland remains among the safest states in the country, citing NCRB data that places the state with a cognisable crime rate of 84.9 per lakh population. He said 135 NDPS cases were registered in the past year, with 230 kg of narcotics and around one lakh units of synthetic drugs seized and 218 persons arrested.