Kohima, June 16: Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles Pabitra Margherita on Tuesday said Nagaland has witnessed a significant rise in fiscal support, infrastructure development, and welfare outreach under the BJP-led NDA government, attributing the transformation to the Centre’s sustained focus on the Northeast during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure.
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| Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles Pabitra Margherita is felicitated during a programme at the BJP Nagaland headquarters in Kohima. (Image: X/PmargheritaBJP) |
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters in Kohima and later interacting with intellectuals and professionals from across Nagaland, Margherita said the Northeast has moved from the margins to the centre of India’s development agenda over the past decade.
Highlighting the increase in central assistance to Nagaland, the minister stated that tax devolution to the state rose from ₹5,405 crore during 2004–2014 to over ₹59,327 crore under the Modi government, representing an increase of nearly 1,000 percent. He added that grants-in-aid to the state also witnessed substantial growth, rising from ₹31,300 crore to ₹79,970 crore during the same period.
“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Northeast has emerged as a key driver of India’s growth story. The unprecedented fiscal support extended to Nagaland reflects the Centre’s commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of the people and accelerating development across the state,” Margherita said.
The minister highlighted several infrastructure initiatives undertaken in Nagaland through central funding. Under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), he said, 17 road projects worth ₹900 crore and 146 infrastructure projects valued at ₹1,489 crore have been approved. He further noted that more than ₹10,037 crore has been allocated to Nagaland under various central schemes over the last decade.
Margherita described the Northeast as the “growth engine of modern India” and pointed to major improvements in connectivity, infrastructure, and public service delivery across the region. According to him, investments in roads, airports, digital connectivity, healthcare, education, sports, tourism, and culture have helped transform the development landscape of the Northeast.
The minister also cited several flagship welfare schemes implemented in Nagaland. These include the opening of more than 4.13 lakh Jan Dhan accounts, coverage of over 7.7 lakh beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat, distribution of more than 1.2 lakh LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, and provision of tap water connections to 3.42 lakh rural households through the Jal Jeevan Mission.
In addition, he said more than 14 lakh beneficiaries in the state have received food grains under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, while over 1.8 lakh farmers have benefited from the PM-Kisan income support scheme.
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Referring to national achievements during the Modi government’s tenure, Margherita claimed that India has become the world’s fourth-largest economy, with infrastructure expenditure rising to ₹12.2 lakh crore. He noted that the national highway network has expanded from around 91,000 kilometres to 1.46 lakh kilometres, while the number of operational airports has more than doubled.
During his visit to Nagaland, the minister also participated in a plantation and cleanliness drive at Kisama Heritage Village and visited the Handloom Marketing Complex under the Pragati Yatra programme. As Minister of State for Textiles, he highlighted the Centre’s support for the complex, which provides local artisans and weavers with a platform to showcase and market their products.
Margherita reiterated that the Centre remains committed to ensuring inclusive growth and sustainable development in Nagaland and the Northeast, adding that continued investments in infrastructure, connectivity, and welfare programmes will further strengthen the region’s role in India’s development journey.
The minister was accompanied by Advisor for Printing, Stationery and Prisons Kropol Vitsu and other BJP leaders during the visit.
