In a significant move, the central government has allocated Rs 145 crore to the state of Nagaland for the development of the proposed Unity Mall in Dimapur. This allocation is part of the Union Budget for the fiscal year 2023-24, which has earmarked a total of Rs 5,000 crore for the construction of Unity Malls across the country.
The concept of Unity Malls is rooted in the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, which aims to promote inclusive development in all districts of India. The objective of ODOP is to identify and promote a unique product from each district, thereby creating a distinct identity for them. These Unity Malls will serve as comprehensive marketplaces for the One District One Products from various parts of the nation.
To ensure the success of the ODOP initiative, over 1000 products have been carefully selected from all 761 districts of the country. The products were chosen by the respective state governments in consultation with district administrations. The selected products span a wide range of sectors including textiles, agricultural produce, processed goods, pharmaceuticals, and industrial items.
According to an official release from the government, it was stated that the aim of the ODOP initiative is to promote and harness the diverse expertise present in different sectors and communities across the country. The initiative is expected to result in the boost of local entrepreneurship, the generation of employment opportunities, and the contribution to the overall growth of the Indian economy.
To create awareness about the ODOP initiative and another flagship program called PM Gati Shakti (Logistics), a workshop-like event was organized recently. The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry spearheaded this event, which aimed to inform stakeholders about the government's efforts in promoting district-level products and enhancing logistics infrastructure.
Furthermore, a review meeting on the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP) with Nagaland government officials is scheduled to take place in the capital city of Kohima. The objective of this meeting is to foster broader adoption of PM GatiShakti for holistic planning and to build synergy among all stakeholders involved in the implementation of the PM GatiShakti NMP.
Launched in October 2021, the PM GatiShakti NMP emphasizes the role of infrastructure as a growth engine and emphasizes a "whole of government" approach to its development. By breaking departmental silos in project implementation, this master plan aims to accelerate infrastructure development and promote efficient logistics networks throughout the country.
