Ramdas Athawale Promotes Investment in Nagaland's Development Potential

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale discussed encouraging investment in Nagaland to address unemployment and development. He invited Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to Mumbai for business talks. He also reviewed social welfare projects and highlighted achievements under various government schemes, asserting continued support for the Neiphiu Rio-led government.

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale announced on Saturday that his Republican Party of India (A) will promote investments in Nagaland to tap into the region's development potential.

Speaking at a press conference in Chumoukedima, Athawale, the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, noted that boosting investments in this northeastern state would help alleviate unemployment issues.

Athawale, who is from Maharashtra, has extended an invitation to Nagaland's Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to visit Mumbai, India's commercial hub, for discussions with the business community.

He urged social welfare officials to address outstanding issues related to the composite regional center in Dimapur, a de-addiction center for women and boys, and district disability rehabilitation centers in Dimapur, Mon, and Tuensang.

Athawale pointed out that under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, 3 lakh accounts have been opened in Nagaland with Rs 122.21 crore sanctioned. Additionally, 1,40,000 beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana received Rs 1928.45 crore, and 1,22,000 people were given cooking gas connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana.

He also mentioned that 10,000 houses were built from 2018 to 2024 under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) with an expenditure of Rs 310.52 crore. He emphasized that India is making significant economic progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, aiming to become the world's third-largest economy during the current NDA government's term. Athawale affirmed that his party, which secured two state assembly seats in 2023, will continue to support Neiphiu Rio's administration.

(With inputs from agencies.)