Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio sought SASCI support, highway assistance and infrastructure cooperation during meetings with Union ministers in Delhi
KOHIMA — Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is currently in New Delhi, called on Union ministers, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, on Thursday.
In a series of posts on X, Rio said he met the Union finance minister and sought her consideration regarding the discontinuation of Revenue Deficit Grants (RDGs) and requested support under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme for the state's developmental priorities.
The 16th Finance Commission has discontinued RDGs for the period 2026–31, reducing Nagaland's inter se share of central taxes from 0.569% to 0.481%. This translates into a shortfall of INR 752.42 crore compared to the previous year's Budget Estimates.
The Centre has allocated INR 3,880 crore to Nagaland under Pride of Hills, a special development assistance component of SASCI for the 2026–27 financial year. The allocation is an additional outlay under the scheme, over and above allocations made under other components of SASCI 2026–27, aimed at boosting capital expenditure and supporting committed liabilities.
The chief minister, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Y Patton and TR Zeliang, also met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and sought support for Nagaland's national highway priorities, including pending projects, declaration of the Foothill Road and strategic corridors as National Highways, and improved connectivity.
Gadkari said the meeting reviewed the progress of ongoing national highway projects and emphasised their timely completion to strengthen connectivity and ensure faster, safer and hassle-free travel across the state.
On Wednesday, Rio, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton, also met Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal. The meeting discussed opportunities to develop inland waterways, improve connectivity and create new avenues for economic development in Nagaland.
Sonowal later said they discussed strengthening inland waterways and allied Inland Water Transport (IWT) infrastructure in Nagaland to create new avenues for connectivity, commerce and regional prosperity.