Kohima: Nagaland Minister for Public Health Engineering Department, Jacob Zhimomi, says state development depends on accurate census counts. He warned that inflating demographic numbers creates chaos for resource allocation. Zhimomi urged citizens to provide honest information for the 2027 Census house-listing process. "Without exact data, we are lagging behind," he said. He insisted residents stop registering in multiple locations.
Nagaland has a history of skewed census figures. In 2011, the state recorded a negative growth rate of 0.58 percent. Officials estimate the current population at 20.5 lakh. Zhimomi wants this count to be precise. He also pushed for a shift in the local economy. The state relies too heavily on imported goods. He wants cooperative societies to stop consuming and start manufacturing.
Only 2,000 of the 8,200 registered cooperative societies in Nagaland remain active. Zhimomi criticized the local habit of chasing government subsidies. Data shows that businesses relying solely on grants fail more than 90 percent of the time. "If our priority is only to think about subsidies, we will fail," he warned. He suggested that grants should only boost existing ventures.
Banks remain shy about lending money in the state. Borrowers often default, making credit hard to find. The government is now computerizing Primary Agricultural Credit Societies to force financial accountability. Zhimomi eyes Chümoukedima, Dimapur, and Niuland as the next major commercial hubs. He wants cooperatives to build integrated networks to grow the local economy from the village level up.
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