Nagaland has received Rs 4.78 crore from the North Eastern Council (NEC) in November to support a variety of developmental programmes. These include promoting tourism, improving youth and sports infrastructure, and encouraging indigenous cultural initiatives, an official release on December 9 confirmed.
The funding is part of NEC’s monthly disbursement for projects across the northeastern states. In November, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and the NEC Secretariat in Shillong reported that a total of Rs 56.22 crore was released to all eight northeastern states. The aim is to boost infrastructure, support livelihoods, promote cultural activities, and fund research and innovation-led projects.
ALSO READ | Kaziranga welcomes 35 critically endangered vultures back to the wild
For Nagaland, the NEC focused on key sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, culture and heritage, education, skill development, and livelihood promotion. The council also stressed timely fund flow and close coordination with state agencies to ensure that the funds lead to meaningful results.
In addition to the state allocations, Rs 14.89 crore was released to central agencies and cultural organisations to support regional events and academic programmes.
NEC to focus on developments of indigenous communities
During November, NEC-backed interventions included community development for indigenous groups, animal feed production units, scientific pig-breeding facilities, piggery value-chain infrastructure, documentation of traditional medicinal knowledge, and expansion of tele-education through smart virtual classrooms. Sports infrastructure development in Manipur was also supported in the same funding tranche.
ALSO READ | IndiGo stock tumbles 7.5% over operational crisis. Here’s what follows
The NEC also reported the completion of a fire-safety and skill training initiative sanctioned in March 2023. This project included installing rainwater harvesting reservoirs at Dimapur and Khuzama, and developing infrastructure at a skill training centre in Chiechama. The initiative aims to strengthen fire safety preparedness and provide structured training for youth who want to join emergency and disaster-response services.
With these efforts, Nagaland and other northeastern states are set to benefit from improved infrastructure, better educational and skill-building opportunities, and strengthened cultural and tourism initiatives.
