Dimapur: Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton on Monday said the Union Budget for 2026–27 reaffirmed the national priority accorded to historically disadvantaged and geographically challenged states, including Nagaland.
Congratulating Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on presenting her ninth consecutive Union Budget, Patton described it as visionary and aligned with the goal of achieving a Viksit Bharat.
He said the Budget’s provisions for high-value agriculture, including agarwood cultivation in the North East, were well suited to the region’s ecological and economic strengths and would support long-term development. The enhanced focus on animal husbandry, fisheries and rural entrepreneurship, he added, would directly aid livelihood diversification in hill States such as Nagaland.
Welcoming the strengthened MSME framework, Patton said it reflected the Centre’s intent to empower small enterprises and local entrepreneurs in remote regions. He also noted that increased public capital expenditure would help sustain infrastructure growth, which is critical for improving connectivity and market access.
The Deputy Chief Minister further said the emphasis on skilling, allied health and the services sector would expand employment opportunities for youth and complement the Nagaland government’s initiatives to develop human capital.
Patton also acknowledged continued support for handloom, handicrafts and village industries, stating that such measures recognise and strengthen the cultural economy of indigenous communities.
Overall, he said the Budget adopted an inclusive approach by integrating growth with social justice and regional equity, balancing fiscal prudence with development priorities, and creating a stable, outcome-oriented framework for sustainable and inclusive growth. These measures, he added, were crucial for realising the vision of both a Viksit Bharat and a Viksit Nagaland.