Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Social Justice & Empowerment, B. L. Verma, undertook a two-day visit to Nagaland and on January 21, 2026, reviewed infrastructure projects and the implementation of key welfare schemes in Chümoukedima district.
The Union Minister was accompanied by Advisor for Food and Civil Supplies and Legal Metrology K. T. Sukhalu, Deputy Commissioner Polan John, and senior officials from various line departments. The visit focused on assessing ground-level progress of projects, service delivery, and the effectiveness of Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the district.
During the visit, Verma inspected the construction site of the Unity Mall at Chümoukedima, where he reviewed the pace of work and quality standards. Interacting with officials and contractors, he stressed the need to maintain prescribed quality norms and complete the project within the stipulated timeline.
He also visited the Anganwadi Centre at Diphuphar, the Centre for Disease Control, and the Cancer Treatment Centre at the Referral Hospital, Chümoukedima, to take stock of infrastructure readiness, availability of manpower, and the delivery of healthcare and nutrition services.
The Union Minister further inspected a Fair Price Shop in Chümoukedima and interacted with beneficiaries and officials. He reiterated the Central Government’s commitment to strengthening the Public Distribution System, emphasising transparency, accountability and timely distribution of essential commodities to eligible households.
Later in the day, Verma chaired a detailed review meeting on the implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes at the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Addressing officials, he said the Government of India remains strongly committed to the development of the Northeastern region, noting that the region has received unprecedented focus under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He referred to the Prime Minister’s vision of the Northeast as “Ashta Lakshmi”, highlighting its importance in the country’s overall growth.
The Union Minister said major improvements in road, air and railway connectivity have helped reduce isolation and created new opportunities for trade, tourism and employment. He expressed satisfaction over the progress of flagship initiatives such as PM-DevINE and schemes of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), while directing officials to strictly follow guidelines to ensure timely and targeted delivery of benefits.
Appreciating the efforts of the district administration led by the Deputy Commissioner, Verma called for coordinated teamwork to develop the newly created Chümoukedima district as a model of transparent and efficient governance. He directed departments to expedite delayed works and ensure proper utilisation of both central and state funds.
During the review meeting, departments including Medical, Rural Development, Social Welfare, Food and Civil Supplies, PHED, Land Resources, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Sericulture, Water Resources, PWD (National Highways), PWD (Roads and Bridges), Horticulture, Power, Tourism, Agriculture, Urban Development and Transport made presentations on the status of various Central schemes.
Addressing the media later, the Union Minister said the Centre remains fully committed to improving infrastructure and public service delivery in Nagaland. He emphasised the importance of regular monitoring, transparency and people-centric governance, and urged officials to proactively address public grievances so that welfare benefits reach the grassroots.
He said inclusive growth and balanced regional development remain at the core of the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed India, with special emphasis on empowering the people of the Northeastern states.