Photo Courtesy: nenow
Kohima: Nagaland officials gathered at Lok Bhavan in Kohima this Monday for the 24th Annual General Meeting of the Rajya Sainik Board. Governor Nand Kishore Yadav, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, and top military representatives met to review resettlement and rehabilitation for veterans, Veer Naris, widows, and their dependents.
The board tackled a long list of logistical hurdles. Members pushed for faster empanelment of private hospitals under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme, citing the lack of specialized care for Nagaland veterans. They also debated plans to open Zila Sainik Welfare Offices in Mon and Tuensang. Filling persistent manpower shortages across the board remains a top priority.
Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen highlighted a long-standing failure to enforce the 5 percent job reservation policy for ex-servicemen in Group C and D posts, which has stalled since 1994. The state now aims to improve enforcement and boost recruitment efforts, including potential new battalions for the Naga Regiment.
Governor Yadav addressed the attendees, underscoring the state's duty to those who served. He noted, “The security of a nation is measured not only by the strength of its borders, but also by how it honours those who defend them.”
Chief Minister Rio argued that veterans bring essential discipline and leadership to society. He pressed for more effective grievance redressal, timely pension access, and better education support for military families. The board also discussed forming a Tri-Services Coordination Committee to manage skill development and education policies for Naga youth and retired personnel.
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