CM Rio hosts state dinner for Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

DIMAPUR — Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his wife Kaisa Rio hosted a state dinner in honour of Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, at the State Banquet Hall, Chief Minister's Residential Complex, Kohima, on Friday.

According to a DIPR report, Nagaland Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen, on behalf of the state government, welcomed the union minister.

The chief secretary said it was Sitharaman third visit to the state and that the visit to Kiphire on Thursday, the remotest district of the state, is proof of the keen interest and concern towards the State of Nagaland and its people.

“The state is looking forward for her inputs and advice from the insights and experience gained from the interaction she had with the government machinery, SHGs, and the public of the district,” he said.

He affirmed that the union minister’s presence at the Nagaland CSR and Investment Conclave 2022 paved the way and gave further impetus for many CSR initiatives benefiting the people in education, healthcare, and livelihood sectors.

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Imchen also acknowledged her role in promoting financial inclusion and entrepreneurship.

“During her 2022 visit, there were 27 unbanked blocks, which has now reduced to 18 with the Nagaland Rural Bank's inauguration at Wakching, Mon district, bringing the public into the financial inclusion ambit,” he said.

The Chief Minister's Micro Finance Initiative, launched during her visit, empowered farmers, entrepreneurs, and women-led SHGs with affordable credit, becoming a highly impactful state programme, he added.

Additionally, the chief secretary thanked the union finance minister for her generosity to Nagaland in allocating funds under the scheme of Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), enabling the state to take up crucial infrastructure projects across the state.

As part of the state dinner, the Task Force for Music and Arts put together a cultural performance of folk songs and dances, a children's choir and some Hindi songs.

Among others, the state dinner was attended by AHoDs and HoDs, the report added.