Chief Minister of Nagaland
NAME – Neiphiu Rio
PROFESSION- Politician & Agriculturist
BORN – 11th November, 1950 (Age 70)
PLACE OF BIRTH – Kohima District, Nagaland
FATHER’S NAME – Late Guolhoulie Rio
MOTHER’S NAME – Smt. Kevilhou Rio
SPOUSE – Kaisa Rio
SIBLINGS – Zhaleo Rio
CHILDREN – He has five daughters and one son
EDUCATION –He is a graduate from the St. Josephs College, Darjeeling
POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS/PARTY- Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party
OFFICIAL WEBSITE- www.chiefminister.nagaland.gov.in
REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT- Neiphiu Rio is the only Chief Minister who has served three consecutive terms in office. He has also played a key role in setting up the Music task force, the first music industry in the country.
AWARDS – He was awarded The Mother Teresa Millennium award for his outstanding leadership and contributions to politics in his state in 2007.
Neiphiu Rio is the current Chief Minister of Nagaland. He is politically affiliated to Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party.
BACKGROUND – Neiphiu Rio was an active student and joined politics at an early age. He headed many prestigious organizations before becoming the chief minister. He served as the President of Kohima District United Democratic Front (UDF) Youth Wing. He also had been the honorary Vice President of Indian Red Cross Society Nagaland branch.
UPBRINGING & EDUCATION – Rio was born in Kohima district and belongs to the Angami tribe. He received his early education from Baptist English School, Kohima and Sainik School, West Bengal. He attended college at the St. Joseph’s College, Darjeeling and later graduated from Kohima Arts College.
WALK OF LIFE- On joining politics, he was first elected to the Nagaland legislative assembly as a congress candidate from the northern angami constituency during the 7th general elections in 1989. He was appointed as the Minister of Sports and school education and subsequently as Minister for higher & technical education and art & culture.
He also served as chairman in Nagaland industrial development corporation. As a member of the Indian National Congress, he served as the home minister of Nagaland as a part of the cabinet headed by S.C Jamir. After his resignation from the INC, he joined the Naga people’s front which partnered with other Naga regionalist parties.
MAJOR INITIATIVES TAKEN-
Student insurance schemes have been introduced to cover unfortunate fatalities
50% post matric scholarship released from state resources even without getting funds fom the center
Landmark initiatives include protection of the rare Tragopan, and Amul falcon
CAREER TIMELINE/POSITION HELD-
1989 He got elected to the Nagaland Assembly from Northern Angami constituency
1993 He was elected as the cabinet minister, government of Nagaland
1998 Rio got elected as the MLS from the same constituency
2003 He was elected as the chief minister in the government of Nagaland
2008 He again won the assembly election from the same constituency and retained his seat as the chief minister of Nagaland
2013 Neiphiu won again and took the post of the chief minister again. He resigned from his post after getting elected in the Lok Sabha
2014 Member of the Committee on public accounts, standing committee on steel and coal, consultative committee and Ministry of development of North
Eastern region
2016 He was a member of the Standing committee on agriculture
2018 He again became the Chief Minister of Nagaland
CONTROVERSIES/CASES – Corruption charges have been made against him for siphoning government funds illegally.