Scindia-Rio meet focuses on NE integration into India’s development trajectory

Rio promises a new high-level task force to focus on sports and tourism

DIMAPUR — Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya M Scindia, met with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday at Noune Resort in Chümoukedima to review ongoing and future development projects in the state.

Following the meeting, both Scindia and Rio addressed the media, with the chief minister stating that the meeting facilitated a comprehensive discussion on integrating the Northeast into India’s overall development trajectory.

He highlighted the review of pending proposals and projects, with the planning department committing to address these by the end of January next year. A new high-level task force will focus on sports and tourism, recognising the need for collaborative efforts in these sectors. Rio also announced that Scindia will return for the Hornbill Festival.

Scindia said the meeting’s focus was on developing a forward-looking strategy for Nagaland’s progress, including a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis to identify strengths, opportunities, and challenges, leading to a sector-specific approach for development.

The union minister praised Nagaland’s rich cultural heritage and economic growth, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of the Northeast as a growth engine for the Indian economy. He also highlighted Nagaland’s strategic location as a gateway to Southeast Asia and its potential for international partnerships.

Scindia noted Nagaland’s strong economic performance, with a growth rate of 8.5% to 9% and a Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of approximately INR 48,000 crore. He also lauded the state’s high score of 76 on the Sustainable Development Goals index, stating that it is among the top 10 states in the country.

Emphasising the central government’s commitment to Nagaland’s development, he said that the state received INR 5,405 crore over the ten years prior to the Modi government, compared to nearly INR 37,000 crore in the subsequent ten years. He highlighted that this year Nagaland alone has received INR 7,096 crore in terms of tax devolution.

Central government support for Nagaland’s development has significantly increased under Modi’s tenure, according to Scindia. Grant-in-aid to the state doubled from INR 31,383 crore in the 10 years prior to Modi’s administration to INR 64,768 crore in the subsequent decade. Additionally, Nagaland received INR 2,290 crore as special dispensation in interest-free loans.

Infrastructure development saw significant progress, with 863 kilometres of National Highways constructed and another 208 kilometres approved, with a projected cost of INR 2,709 crore. Nagaland also gained its second railway station in Shokhuvi and 470 rail flyovers and under bridges while Dimapur airport benefited from new air routes under the UDAN scheme. A multidisciplinary sports complex and a women’s entrepreneurship facilitation center received INR 172 crore in funding and the state’s first medical college was inaugurated in October last year, he said.

In terms of rural connectivity, he said, 550 kilometres of roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) have been sanctioned, followed by an additional 60 kilometres.

Telecom infrastructure received a boost with an INR 1,080 crore allocation for 4G expansion in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland. Of the 324 sites earmarked in Nagaland (310 for 4G saturation and 14 for border outposts), 199 have been completed, he added.

The union minister said that a range of topics spanning handicrafts, handlooms, silk production, agriculture, palm oil, tourism, infrastructure, and internet connectivity, were discussed in a two-hour meeting.

Further, he confirmed his participation in the Hornbill Festival and a planned return visit in late January for further discussions on Nagaland’s development vision.