Nagaland Shifts Urban Poverty Efforts to New Pilot Scheme

Kohima: Nagaland is moving to a new urban welfare model. Officials confirmed the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Urban Livelihoods Mission concluded on September 30, 2024. The state now shifts focus to the Deendayal Jan Aajeevika Yojana–Shehari. Kohima sits among 25 pilot cities nationwide.

State Mission Manager Abaü Suokhrie said the previous mission centered on women. It formed 884 self-help groups across 11 districts between 2014 and 2024. These groups focused on skill development and poverty reduction. The new program will broaden its scope. It targets vulnerable workers in construction, transport, and waste sectors.

Additional Director Petevilie Khatsu updated the status of the PM SVANidhi scheme. This program provides collateral-free loans to street vendors. Nagaland sanctioned 6,511 loans totaling Rs. 10.52 crore. Success varies across the state. Aghunato and Meluri hit 100 percent repayment rates. Other areas failed to register a single loan. Khatsu noted persistent hurdles to growth. He said, "Aadhaar-mobile linkage issues, low digital literacy, poor internet connectivity, bank loan rejections and inadequate banking facilities in remote areas" remain significant barriers.

The PIB Kohima hosted the discussion at Hotel Japfü. They reviewed 12 years of government efforts regarding urban entrepreneurship. Officials pushed for better coordination to solve connectivity and banking gaps. They want to ensure the remaining loan targets are met by the 2030 deadline.