Nagaland: CM Rio Presents Rs 843.21 Cr Deficit Budget for 2025-26

Nagaland government will launch a Drone Training and Logistics Programme with Rs 2.50 crore

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is also the Finance Minister, on Thursday presented a deficit budget of Rs. 843.21 crore for the year 2025-26 in the Nagaland Assembly.

In his budget statement, he estimated the Gross receipts at Rs. 24849.01 crore and Gross expenditures at Rs. 24699.01 for the financial year 2025-26. However, he said, due to the negative opening balance, the year 2025-26 is estimated to close with a negative balance of Rs. 843.21 crore.

Rio informed the house that the deficit for 2024-25 was projected at Rs.905.78 crore however, the government has improved it by Rs. 62.57 crore bringing down the closing balance for the fiscal at Rs. 843.21 crore.

NEW INITIATIVES

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said, the Budget 2025-26 reflects state’s government unwavering commitment to fostering economic growth, improving public service delivery and creating employment opportunities for citizens of Nagaland. Announcing the new initiatives being undertaken by the government, the Chief Minister in his budget speech, said, the government will launch a special initiative under the Nagaland Skill Mission to train and provide employment opportunity for atleast 5000 youths in the sector of hospitality, tourism, banking and insurance, construction, healthcare, logistics and drone technology within the financial year. Under the mission, five crore rupees has been allocated. To leverage emerging technologies, he said the government will launch the Drone Training and logistics Programme with an earmarked fund of Rs 2.50 crore.

Rio said, to nurture future leaders and policy innovators, the government will launch the Chief Minister’s Fellowship programme with 2.50 crore rupees aimed at developing a cadre of highly skilled professionals with a deep understanding of Nagaland’s development priorities.

The chief Minister also announced a new initiative in the current budget with an allocation of 15 crore rupees to fast track the development needs of villages in the interstate border areas.

Further to dovetailed the mission, the government is launching the Nagaland Tourism, Hospitality and Transport scheme to promote tourism as a key driver of employment. This scheme will facilitate concessional loans to entrepreneurs to set up 500 home stays and 200 tourist transport vehicles.

NAGA ISSUE & ENPO

On Naga Political issue, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio noted that the State government and all 60 Legislators, are not a direct party to the talks and the negotiations but only a facilitator, “we are making our best efforts to play a proactive and contributory role for an early solution,” he said. He placed on record that all 60 Legislators stands united in one voice for lasting peace and that all 60 members have come together for the greater cause of unity and reconciliation.

He once again urged all negotiating parties to make every effort to conclude the negotiations with a settlement that is honourable, inclusive and acceptable to the people.

On the demand of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation for the creation of Frontier Nagaland Territory Authority, Rio stated that the voices of the Eastern region’s have been clearly heard, and the state government is resolutely committed to addressing their concerns with sincere action.

“We are working closely with stakeholders and Central government to bring out a solution,” he stated.

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