Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio upon his arrival at Mengujuma on February 15: (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 15
To accelerate the state's economy, Nagaland's Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today challenged the Naga youth to engage in entrepreneurship activities within the state.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the new council hall of Mengujuma Village Council in Kohima district, Rio urged the youth to prioritize training and skill development as key components for succeeding in entrepreneurial ventures.
The Chief Minister informed that the state government has established an Integrated Industrial Development Centre (IIDC) at Kiruphema, as well as Industrial Estates in Dimapur. However, he expressed concern that these centers are yet to be fully utilized by the youth for productive business activities.
“We are a consumer state, not a producing state,” he remarked, pointing to the frequent inflow of loaded trucks into the state, which return empty. He expressed his apprehensio n that if this trend continues, the state will struggle to thrive in the business and industrial sectors.
Rio assured the youth that the government is committed to supporting them in their entrepreneurial endeavors. He also mentioned that the state government provides loans to deserving entrepreneurs, encouraging the youth to approach the Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) and other agencies for assistance.
In addition, the Chief Minister urged the people to take advantage of the Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS).
The CMHIS is a flagship public health insurance initiative by the Government of Nagaland, designed to provide cashless treatment to eligible beneficiaries. It serves to bridge the gap for government employees, pensioners, and Indigenous Inhabitants or permanent residents of Nagaland who are not covered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
“Everyone must have a health card,” he said, adding that the government has already empanelled 65 health centers within Nagaland and 64 outside the state to implement the health insurance scheme. Many people are already benefiting from this initiative, he claimed.
Meanwhile, Rio assured that the government is addressing issues arising from the healthcare schemes in the state.
Touching on the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), which provides tap water connections to rural households across India, Rio cautioned the village authorities against issuing completion certificates without fully implementing the project.
