Union Minister of State B L Verma on Wednesday reaffirmed the Central government’s strong commitment to the overall development of the Northeast, stating that the region has witnessed clear and visible progress over the past decade. He said improvements in infrastructure, welfare delivery and healthcare since 2014 reflect the Centre’s focused approach to bringing the Northeast into India’s mainstream development process.
The minister, who handles the portfolios of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Social Justice and Empowerment, is currently on a two-day visit to Nagaland. During his visit, he carried out on-ground inspections of several centrally sponsored schemes in Chumoukedima district to assess their implementation and impact at the grassroots level.
As part of the visit, Verma inspected fair price shops operating under the public distribution system to review the availability and distribution of essential food grains. He also visited Anganwadi centres, which play a key role in child nutrition, maternal health and early childhood care. Officials briefed him on the functioning of these centres and the services being provided to local communities.
The minister also visited the Centre for Disease Control and Cancer Treatment at the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR), a major healthcare institution serving people not only from Nagaland but also from neighbouring states. He reviewed healthcare facilities and interacted with officials to understand the challenges faced in delivering advanced medical services in the region.
After a detailed review meeting on the progress of central schemes and projects, Verma told reporters that the transformation seen in Nagaland since 2014 is “self-evident.” He highlighted better road connectivity, improved healthcare infrastructure and more effective welfare service delivery as key indicators of change. According to him, these developments have made essential services more accessible to citizens, especially in previously underserved areas.
The Union Minister said the Centre remains firmly committed to ensuring inclusive and sustainable development in the Northeast. He stressed that special attention is being given to remote and border areas so that development benefits reach all sections of society. Strengthening institutional capacity and speeding up project execution, he added, would continue to be priorities.
