The present study examines the status of availability of the type of houses and some important household amenities in Nagaland. The study also undertakes a comparative analysis of various issues with respect to the country as a whole, for a better understanding of the problems. The study shows that only 16.3% of total households in Nagaland have permanent houses, while almost one-third of total households has temporary houses, based on the Census 2001 data. Among the rural households in Nagaland, only 9.4% have permanent houses. However, as per the latest report of National Family Health Survey (2005-06), 20.6% of total households in the state have permanent houses. As far as, the availability of electricity, toilet and bathroom facilities is concerned, the state showed an impressive performance relative to the country, whereas the position of the state with regard to the availability of drinking water and LPG connection was not good relative to that of the country. Overall, in the case of rural households, the access to most of the basic amenities was extensively limited in comparison to the urban households.

Housing is one of the vital components of the socioeconomic development of a country. It is one of the areas of concern for most of the people in the country regardless of their income. Providing access to proper housing and household amenities to the people of the country is the prime duty of the government of any country. A certain minimum standard of housing is essential for healthy and civilized existence. Housing is considered as one of the fundamental human rights. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), 2005-06, only 29% of rural population in India live in pucca houses, and 55.5% of rural households do not have toilet facilities inside their premises. The Census of India, 2001 reported that 40% of rural houses in the country do not have a separate kitchen.

Although the government has undertaken several schemes for housing and poverty alleviation since the 1^st Five-Year Plan in the country, development in the housing sector and reduction of poverty are far below the desired level. This is clearly evident from the increasing number of houseless households, rapid growth of slum-dwellers, lack of access to potable water and proper sanitation facilities, etc.

Nagaland, is one of the leading tribal hill states of North East (NE) India, and as per Census 2001, has a population of 1,990,036 people. Although it is a small hill state, it represents the national mainstream in many ways. This is the state that recorded the highest decadal growth of population in the country in the last two consecutive decades. Moreover, only 17% of the total population in the state resides in urban areas. According to Census of India (2001), almost 80% of total households in Nagaland are rural households, and out of that only 9.4% have permanent houses. According to NFHS 2005-06, about nine out of ten births in Nagaland take place at home. The proportion of institutional births in Nagaland is the lowest among all the states in India. Against this backdrop, the present study is designed to examine the status of availability of types of houses and some important household amenities in Nagaland at household level. The study also undertakes a comparative analysis of various issues with respect to the country as a whole, for a better understanding of the problems.

Agricultural Economics Journal, Household Amenities, Socioeconomic Development, National Family Health Survey, National Sample Survey Organization, Permanent Houses, Urban Households, Gas Connection, Electricity Facilities, Rural Development Programs, Non-Governmental Organizations.