SHILLONG, June 4: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday called for continued support from the Centre to address the state's fiscal challenges and advance major infrastructure and economic development projects during the 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) held in Shillong.
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| Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Governors, Chief Ministers and senior officials from across the Northeast pose for a group photograph during the 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong, Meghalaya, on June 4, 2026. (NEC) |
The meeting was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and attended by Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of State for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar, Governors and Chief Ministers of the Northeastern states, and senior government officials.
Addressing the plenary, Rio expressed gratitude to the Government of India, the Ministry of DoNER and the NEC for their continued support to Nagaland and described the council as an important platform for promoting regional cooperation and development across the Northeast.
Highlighting the state's financial concerns, the Chief Minister said the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) by the 16th Finance Commission has created a significant fiscal gap for Nagaland. While acknowledging assistance provided under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, he urged the Centre to consider special grants to help bridge the deficit and sustain developmental initiatives.
Rio outlined several priority projects requiring support, including the Foothill Road (Trans-Nagaland Highway), development of Ciethu Airport, expansion of rail and inland waterway connectivity, establishment of premier institutions such as AIIMS and IIT, strengthening of the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR), Kohima, and investments in power infrastructure, sports and youth development.
The Chief Minister also stressed the need for the early resumption of petroleum and natural gas exploration activities in the state. He noted that, under the guidance of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the governments of Nagaland and Assam have held productive discussions and made significant progress towards restarting exploration and production operations in the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) along the Nagaland-Assam border.
Emphasising economic growth through agriculture and niche products, Rio sought support for strengthening agricultural connectivity and promoting high-value sectors such as coffee and agarwood. He described coffee as a flagship product of Nagaland with growing market potential, while highlighting agarwood as a sector capable of generating sustainable livelihoods, supporting ecological conservation and boosting exports.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed Nagaland's commitment to working closely with the Government of India, NEC, DoNER and neighbouring states to unlock the region's development potential. He said collaborative efforts among Northeastern states would be critical in achieving the goals of economic growth, regional integration and the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
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The NEC plenary meeting focused on reviewing development priorities across the Northeast, including connectivity, infrastructure, agriculture, industrial growth and regional cooperation. Leaders from across the region discussed strategies for accelerating development and enhancing the Northeast's contribution to India's long-term growth trajectory.
Rio said the deliberations reflected a shared commitment to building a prosperous, peaceful and integrated Northeast, capable of harnessing its vast natural resources, strategic location and human capital for sustainable development.
