Honorable Speaker and Honorable Members,
It gives me great pleasure to address you at the commencement of the 8th session of the 7th Legislative Assembly of Mizoram. I would like to take this opportunity to convey my sincere greetings and warm wishes to this August House and the people of Mizoram. I am sure that under the able leaders such as you, Mizoram will continue on its path to lasting peace, economic prosperity and all round development despite challenges that face us from time to time. I am convinced that with effort and hard work, this State will one day take its place as one of the most developed and progressive in the country, a State that is economically self-sufficient, industrially and agriculturally competitive with improved standards of living for its people.
2. I would like to begin by stating that Bye-Election to 12-Aizawl North –III (ST)A/C was successfully conducted on 21st November 2015 as directed by the Election Commission of India in a peaceful, fair and orderly manner. Elections to the Aizawl Municipal Corporation was also held on 26th November 2016. Elections held in a peaceful atmosphere have become the norm in Mizoram and this is something we can all be very proud of, an achievement that is looked upon with envy by many other States, including some of our neighbours. Civil Society has had an impactful contribution towards this end and the fact that the Young Mizo Association (YMA) was awarded the National Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Award for best campaign on Voters’s Education and awareness by the President of India on 25th January, 2016 at New Delhi stands testament to this.
3. Through the implementation of several centrally sponsored schemes and the State Flagship Programme – National Land Use Policy (NLUP), both separately and in convergence with one another, My Government has slowly but surely made progress over the past few years. The Govt. is committed to enhance agricultural crop production and increase crop productivity to make it a sustainable livelihood. Since the inception of NLUP in 2010, a total of 20,590 beneficiaries have been given assistance to the tune of Rs. 176.79 crore under 4 different agriculture activities such as WRC-I&II, Oil Palm and Sugarcane. There has been a 39.04% increase in rice cultivation area since 2010 and out of that, 14.23% increase i.e., 2401 hectare can be attributed to the implementation of NLUP. Out of a 22.21% increase in the State’s Rice Production since the inception of NLUP in 2010 till 2014-15, 9.50% increase is calculated to be contributed by WRC-I&II beneficiaries of 1st & 2nd phases of NLUP.
The programme has also been a substantial contributor in decrease of Jhum area to the tune of 29.75% from 28,562 Hectare in 2010 as compared to Jhum area of 8497.195 hectare in 2015. A few other notable points are as follows- an increase in Rice area and production during 2015-16 over the previous year is expected on receipt of final report on yield of winter Rice (Rabi) inspite of delayed monsoon experienced in some parts of the State. Area under Oil Palm cultivation has increased from 20,377 hectare in 2014-15 to 23,358 hectare during 2015-16. 9185.55 Metric Tonnes of Oil Palm Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) have been harvested till December, 2015 which is valued at Rs. 4.682 crores. The existing rate of FFB is Rs. 5.50 per Kg. The only Oil Palm Mill in North Eastern India was set up at Bukvannei, Kolasib where 5500 Metric Tons of FFB have been processed so far. A 27 km long Potential Area Connectivity (PAC) is being constructed under RKVY and a total of 55 hectare area of WRC is being created during 2015-16. 255 Quintals of High Yielding Variety (HYV) Rice i.e., CAU R-1 produced locally under Seed Village Programme is being procured under RKVY for free distribution to WRC farmers. 10 Custom Hiring Centers are being established under Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) in different Districts. 86 Rain Water Harvesting Tanks/Tube wells are being constructed under RKVY & NFSM to provide irrigation facilities at farmers’ fields.
4. During 2015-2016, an amount of Rs. 901.00 lakhs was allocated by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for continuation of the KVK’s at Kolasib, Lunglei, North Vanlalphai, Khawzawl, Lengpui, Lawngtlai and Saiha. Adaptive trials, On-Farm Testing, On-Farm Trials, Front Line Demonstrations and other Research aspects available under RKVY have also been taken up by the KVKs. An amount of Rs. 116.54 lakhs was allocated under the Programme of ‘National Mission on Oil Seed and Oilpalm’. The Agriculture Deptt. (R&E) is taking up Mini Mission-III for cultivation of Tree Borne Oil Seed Jatropha. A program called ‘National Innovation on Climatic Resilient Agriculture’ has started to address the climatic changes and to assist the farmers in coping with the situation. Two KVKs namely, KVK Lunglei and KVK Serchhip are selected to take up the programme for which Rs. 22.50 lakhs has been released during 2015-2016.
5. Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India has provided financial support for creation of awareness among the farmers and other stake holders about the provisions of the ‘Protection of Plan Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act 2001’(PPV & FR Act) and fund has been released for conducting training cum awareness programmes on the subject. Accordingly, 46 varieties of crops indigenous to Mizoram has been taken up for registration and patenting. The registered crop varieties once accepted will be the sole property of the farmers of Mizoram. Any researcher who wants to include the registered plant varieties for research will have to obtain permission from the farmers who had registered the varieties.
6. Under NLUP 2206 families are engaged in Sericulture. Apart from activities under NLUP, several projects are being implemented in the State like the ‘Integrated Sericulture Development Project’ under NERTPS with a project cost of Rs.32.49 crore is being implemented at Lunglei District and ‘Intensive Bivoltine Sericulture Development’ under NERTPS with a project cost of Rs. 3014.61 lakhs is being implemented at Champhai District. Another project called ‘Integrated Muga Silk Development Project’ under NERTPS with a project cost of Rs. 13.52 crore has been approved and is started from 2015-16 at Kolasib District.
7. Under NLUP 3,654 families engaged in fish culture have benefitted while 1827 Hectares of new water bodies have been developed for intensive fish culture. The level of fish production has been increased to 1400 kg/ha per year by applying modern technologies of fish culture against the existing level of 1250 kg/ha/year. 2500 Metric Tons of table sized fish have so far been produced by the NLUP beneficiaries, generating at least Rs. 1.5-2.00 lakh as monthly income. 500 families have been given financial help for construction of Fisher House including 49 tubewells/ water points and 3 Community Halls under ‘Welfare of Fishermen Programme’.
8. Under’ National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB)’ 127 hectare of new water body has been developed for 127 beneficiaries and 95 hectare of new water has so far been developed for intensive fish culture benefitting at least 310 families during 2014-2015. 14 hectares of new water area was also developed for creating ‘Fingerling Rearing Area’ to enhance fish seed production capacity of the fish farmers in the state under RKVY Programme.
9. There are 96 fish cages installed at Serlui ‘B’ through which at least 300 families earn a livelihood under the RKVY programme from which 501 quintals of table sized fish were harvested earning a revenue of Rs. 47.48 lakh. The revenue earned is shared on 50:50 basis by the Government and the village communities.
10. During 2015-16, 25 new Minor Irrigation schemes have been taken up, of which 14 projects are being taken up under PMKSY (Har Khet ko Pani) and 11 projects under NABARD. These 25 new projects are scheduled to be completed in 2017-18 which will provide irrigation facilities to 1118 hectares of agricultural land and it will benefit 791 families. 6 DPRs covering clusters of 25 new minor irrigation projects in 6 Districts have been prepared for submission to Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation for inclusion under CAD&WMP during 2015-16. ‘National Hydrology Project’ introduced by the Ministry of Water Resources, Govt. of India will bring Mizoram under one Hydrological umbrella along with the rest of the country and it will provide reliable, timely, quality and consistent hydro-meteorological data which will be accessible to the public through web portals and an online library. This project is proposed to be implemented within a span of 8 years starting from 2016-17 and will be funded fully by the Central Government with World Bank assistance.
11. The Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department under My Government has continued its implementation of NLUP, our Flagship Programme. A total of 13,172 families have been covered under Sectors like Dairy, Piggery, Mithun and Poultry for which Rs. 52.15 crore has been released during 2015-16. 14,327tonnes of Milk, 258 lakh eggs and 8500 tonnes of meat have been produced during the same period. Construction of various ‘Rural Animal Health Centers’ and Strengthening of Animal Surveillance Check gates have been completed. Artificial Insemination is being performed in dairy cows and pigs and I am proud to state that Mizoram is the only state in the country where Artificial Insemination in Pigs is facilitated by the Government.
12. The Horticulture Department under My Government is implementing the Flagship Programme NLUP in which 10 different horticulture trades such as Grape, Mandarin Orange, Passion Fruit, Pineapple, Squash, Ateca Nut, Tung Mango and Tea cultivation have been taken up. In all, 23,886 families have been covered with total financial assistance of Rs. 205.16 crores. Efforts are also taken to cover a cultivated area of 668 hectares with Drip and Micro/Mini Sprinkler irrigation system under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). My Government is establishing a Horticulture College at Thenzawl, Serchhip District and classes for 1st batch of B. Sc Horticulture will be started in the ensuing new academic session atVeterinaryCollege, Selesih underCentralAgricultureUniversity, Imphal.
13. My Government realizes the importance of improving the marketing aspect of agricultural produce by providing physical market infrastructure and protecting the general interest of farmers. As of now, there are as many as 226 markets within the state which are directly or indirectly managed by the Government. These markets not only provide places for selling agricultural produce within the State, but also provide employment to people, especially women and weaker sections of society. Construction ofMission veng Market Complex has been taken up under NEC with a total Project Cost of Rs. 5.98 crore out of which Rs. 134.64 lakhs has been released by NEC. Construction of Aizawl New Market at a cost of Rs. 13.00 crores has also been approved by NEC and work will commence shortly. It is true that many existing markets including Aizawl New Market have deteriorated over time and are unsafe apart from being unable to serve the needs of an ever increasing population. Consequently, the Government has submitted proposals for construction of Lunglei Super-Market, Re-construction of Vaivakawn Market in Aizawl and Vertical Extension of Mamit Market to be funded under NEC/NLCPR. Besides this, 53 bighas, 46 bighas and 10 hectares of lands has been acquired for setting up of Indo-Myanmar Border Trade Centre at Saikhumphai, setting up ofBorderTradeCenter at Farkawn and setting up ofBorderTradeCenter nearTiauRiver in Sangau respectively under the ASIDE (Assistance to States for Development of Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities) Scheme.
14. As we are all aware, a large extent of the geographical area of Mizoram is covered by forests with rich bio-diversity. According to the “India State of Forests Report, 2015” published by the Forest Survey of India, the State has 19,054 sq.kms of forests and tree cover which is 91.47% of the total geographical area. My Government realizes the importance of preserving our environment not only for the present generation, but also for future ones and the dangers that Climate Change and Global Warming pose towards the environment. It also accepts that economic growth at the expense of the environment is not what this State and this country need but rather a synergy between the two. As a result, several programmes/schemes have been executed by the Government to preserve and expand the existing forest cover. Plantations have been raised with active people’s participation over more than 62,625 Hectares through ‘Village Forest Development Committee’ under National Afforestation Programme (NAP). During 2015-16, plantations of 3135 hectares have been raised over degraded forests and older plantations of 8100 hectares are being maintained.
My Government has implemented ‘Green Mizoram Programme’ for planting trees on barren land including private, Government, and Semi-Government land since 1990. Under National Agro-Forestry Bamboo Mission (NABM), an area of about 60,000 hectare has been taken up for Bamboo Cultivation in both forest and non-forest areas and Rs. 200.00 lakh has been incurred for raising bamboo plantations over degraded forests/non forests land and other related activities in 2015-16. There are 594 families adopting bamboo trade throughout the State under NLUP to whom financial assistance of Rs. 68,224/- each has been disbursed during 2015-16. An area of 1728.78 sq.km, which is more than 8% of the State’s geographical area has been set aside for long-term wildlife preservation. The Government has issued a preliminary notification for extension of existing ‘Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary’ in Lunglei District which will cover 198 sq.km. for wildlife corridor between Dampa Tiger Reserve and Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary. Further, the final notification of Pualreng Wildlife Sanctuary with an area of 50 sq.km. within the district of Kolasib has been recently notified. An amount of Rs. 843.16 lakh has been utilized under 13th Finance Commission Grants-in-Aid for forests during the current year.
15. The majority of the population of our State still resides in rural areas. My Government recognizes the need to further develop this section of the population by continuing its focus on rural development programmes. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gurantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is one such example. Fund allocated under MGNREGS during 2015-16 is Rs. 235.18 crore, while fund received from the Central Government till date is Rs. 139.03 crore. The actual amount of fund released so far for State Matching Share is Rs. 1,373.46 lakh. 63.61 lakh persondays out of the approved Labour Budget target of 149.4 lakh persondays have been generated during 2015-16.
The ‘Border Area Development Programme’ (BADP) is another important programme being implemented by My Government. Its main objective is to meet the special development needs of people living in remote and inaccessible areas situated near the international border and to bridge the gaps in the physical and social infrastructure of such areas. As per Sectoral allocation of Outlay 2015-16, fund allocated under the head during 2015-16 is Rs. 40.71crore. The Central Govt. has released Rs. 37.67 crore. My Government has set a physical target of building 1293 houses under Indira Aawaz Yojana (IAY) during 2015-16 out of which 193 have been constructed. Funds amounting to Rs. 9.08 crore have been allocated by Govt. of India out of which Rs. 3.06 crore have been released so far. Under the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), 11,364 Water Harvesting Structures with a capacity of 2. 67 lakh cubic meters have been created in addition to 184 structures that have been renovated. An additional area of 33,600.79 hectares has been brought under irrigation with 15,461 farmers benefitting from it.
16. National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) is another important programme whose aim is to reduce rural poverty by building strong grassroots institutions for the poor by enabling access to gainful self-employment and skilled-wage employment opportunities on a sustainable basis. Govt. of India has released Rs. 97.04 lakh in 2015-16. 741 Self Help Groups (SHG’s) has been formed since the inception of the programme. Two villages, namely, Khawlailung under East Lungdar RD Block and Chhiahtlang under Serchhip RD Block have been declared as ‘Model Villages’ under Saansad Aadarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) which is a new scheme launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on 11th October 2014 in order to achieve holistic development in villages of India. Apart from activities under these schemes, My Government is taking steps for construction of a Mini-Sports Complex atEast Lungdar under Non-Lapseable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) at a total approved project cost of Rs. 434.96 lakh. DoNER Ministry has conveyed administrative and financial approval for the construction of a Mini-Shopping Complex at Saitual under NLCPR at a total project cost of Rs.330.33 lakh. I would also like to inform all members that 40.20% of work in respect of cultivation of Aloe Vera in Chhanchhuahna Khawpui has been completed. This project has a total cost of Rs. 446.50 lakh out of which Rs. 320 lakh has been released by the Centre.
17. Mizoram is the most urbanized State in the country with more than 50% of the population living in urban areas. My Government realizes that development of urban areas is critical for the overall economic development of the State. Towards this, My Government has taken up urban development on various fronts, such as (i) Urban Governance, (ii) Urban Infrastructure, (iii) Urban Planning, (iv) Urban Sanitation, (v) Urban Transportation & Mobility, and (vi) Urban Poverty Alleviation. These issues facing urbanization have been addressed in various means and forms. These include support of the Government of India under Central Schemes and Missions. The just concluded JNNURM Scheme helped us in providing critical urban infrastructures for Water Supply, Roads, etc. and construction of 3046 Dwelling Units for urban poor. The Scheme of SJSRY also helped in providing various types of assistance, skill training and micro-financing for urban poor to attain self-sufficiency and self-employment. My Government had also taken up various State Sector projects under the Annual Plans and for counterpart funding of Central Sector Schemes.
18. We have now entered a new urban era, with the announcement of 5 Key Central Sector Mission, namely-
(i) Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban)
(ii) National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM)
(iii) Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
(iv) Housing For All (Urban)
(v) Smart Cities Mission;
My Government has taken up all-out efforts to make the best use of these ambitious Schemes of the Central Government, by providing counterpart funding and supplementing the efforts with the State Plans so that the objectives of these Schemes are achieved satisfactorily. In particular, our efforts in Urban Sanitation is expected to enable our State emerge as the ‘Cleanest State in India’ and to make our Cities, Towns and Villages as the cleanest habitations by 2019. We will work towards this end. Likewise, we will continue to work for making our Cities and Towns livable and make them centres of growth and development. The Annual Allocation of Rs. 40 crore under Housing For All, Rs. 36.50 crore under AMRUT, Rs. 10.26 crore under NULM, Rs. 8.68 crore under Swachh Bharat Mission will be quite useful in our efforts. Besides, we have been taking efforts to commence Smart City Project forAizawlCity, which will provide Rs. 100 crore each for 5 years. We will make the best use of these Schemes, and the State Government’s available resources will be given best uses to address urban challenges. We will also work on various institutional arrangements and reforms to make our urban institutions responsive to reforms and developments. The ADB-assisted ‘North-Eastern Regions Capital Cities Development Investment Program (NERCCDIP)’ forAizawlCity is under active implementation. Tranche-I was completed, and Tranche-II is in progress, and Agreement for Tranche-III was signed in January, 2016. The projects components under this Scheme include ‘Augmentation and Improvement of Water Supply systems in Aizawl City’, Establishment of Scientific Solid Waste Management’, ‘Septage Management’ and ‘Sewerage Network and Treatment Plant’, etc. which will provide improvements water supply systems and sanitation practices in Aizawl City. Our performance in this ADB-assisted project is quite commendable, andAizawlCity and Agartala could go to Tranche-III resulting in signing of $80 Million Assistance from ADB for these 2 cities.
19. The menace of drug abuse and drug trafficking which has assumed alarming proportions in our State is one the Government recognizes with all seriousness. Tireless efforts made by personnel of the Excise & Narcotics Department towards tackling this menace have resulted in the apprehension of 346 drug traffickers and abusers during 2015-16. I would also like to laud the efforts of Civil Society Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations like the Young Mizo Association which have been unflinching in their efforts to cleanse society of such evils. After implementing the Mizoram Liquor (Control & Prohibition) Act 2014, the Government has issued 3 Bonded Warehouse licences and 55 Vendor Licences. Revenue amounting
to Rs. 47.75 crore has already been collected as excise duties during the current financial year, 2015-16 (up to 31.1.2016) against the annual target of Rs. 35.67crore.
20. I would once again like to congratulate and thank our law enforcement agencies who have been ably supported assisted by NGO’s, the media and religious institutions in keeping the people of Mizoram safe. Though it is impossible to prevent every crime, our Police Forces have worked untiringly towards maintenance of this State as one of the most peaceful in the country. The brutal murder of 5 members of a family at Republic Veng on 9.1.2015 and the dastardly attack on the entourage party of the Assurance Committee of this House on 28.3.2015 at the outskirts of Zokhawthiang village in which 3 Police personnel lost their lives were the major incidents of crime leading to loss of valuable life during 2015-16 and need to be condemned unequivocally. I would like to laud our brave Policemen who acted swiftly in tracking down and bringing the perpetrators of these crimes to book, even killing 1 militant involved in the ambush. I also appreciate the efforts of the Police in detecting and recovering of fake currency which if left unchecked can cause untold problems for the people of Mizoram. As many as 80 firearms, 18,138 live ammunition, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances worth Rs. 5.36 crore were recovered by our law enforcement agencies and 62 persons involved in their trafficking were arrested. The ‘Aizawl City Surveillance Project’ Phase-I) has also been successfully executed for surveillance of important junctions of Aizawl City 24 hours a day which will go (a long way towards prevention and detection of crime, traffic management & planning. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered 6 regular cases with 9 cases presently pending investigation, 17 Preliminary Enquiries and 33 cases pending trial at the Court of Special Judge, Prevention of Corruption Cases.
21. My Government has completed construction of the District Jail at Serchhip and is ready to be inaugurated. Construction of Mamit District Jail has also been completed and can be operational as soon at armed guards are provided for its security. It has long been felt that a separate women’s jail is required to safely house female under trials and convicts. In this regard, construction of a separate women’s jail at Central Jail, Aizawl under NLCPR has begun. Construction of the much-needed office building of State Anti-Corruption Bureau was completed in February 2015 and was occupied by the Director and staff on 12th June 2015 which has given them a sense of pride and fulfillment.
22. My Government recognizes the need for development, construction and maintenance of infrastructure in the State among which the need for better and wider road connectivity is a priority. Towards this end, the Public Works Department has completed Formation Cutting of 62.440 Kms, Blacktopping of 109.942 Kms, construction of 152 Culverts and 7213.74Rm ofRetaining Walls at a cost of Rs. 129.537 crores. Apart from this, 4 Bridges at a cost of Rs. 43.64 crores, 78 Road Works amounting to Rs. 3633.32 crores and 54 Buildings at a cost of Rs. 148.27 crores are presently under construction. I am happy to state that construction of 13 Government Buildings at a cost of Rs. 22.37 crores have been completed in 2015-16.
23. The Works or Schemes to be taken up for road connectivity infrastructure during the next Financial Year with financial cost involved are as follows:
(i) Rs.11.90 Crores is proposed for on-going projects Strengthening & Rehabilitation of W.Phaileng –Marpara Roadand Pavement of Muallungthu –Khumtung Roadunder NABARD.
(ii) Rs. 23.10 Crores is proposed for Formation cutting & Pavement of Zote – Chhipphir Road, Construction of Pavement of R.Tuichang – Tumtukawn, Improvement & Widening of Zawngin to Suangpuilawn Road, Construction of Laki – Vahi Road, Pavement work of Chuhvel-Sihthiang Road under NABARD new scheme.
(iii) Rs. 248.39 Crores is proposed for Externally Aided Project (EAP) as follows- Rs. 68 crore for Serchhip –Thenzawl-Buarpui Road(ADB Project) and Rs.180.39 crore for Mizoram State Roads II – Regional Transport Connectivity Project.
(iv) Rs. 5.00 Crores is proposed for Strengthening & Improvement ofAizawl-Reiek-W.Lungdar Road, Strengthening & Improvement ofR.Tuipui-Biate Roadunder CRF.
(v) Rs. 10.00 Crores is proposed for Construction of Pre-stressed Concrete Girder Bridge over Borailui at Ch. 18.470 kmp on KDZKT Road, Construction of Pre-stressed Concrete Girder Bridge over R.Tlawng on Aizawl-Reiek-W.Lungdar Road, Construction of Double lane Pre-stressed Concrete Girder Bridge over R.Tuichang on Keitum-Artahkawn Road, Construction of RCC T-Beam Girder Bridge over R.Serlui on Bilkhawthlir-Saiphai-Natsura under CRF new scheme.
(vi) Rs. 77.00 Crores is proposed for PMGSY.
Rs. 28.56 Crores is proposed for Construction of Bailey Bridge over R.Tuisa on Kawlbem-Vaikhawtlang Road, Construction of Bailey Bridge over R.Lunghmullui on Lengpui-Serzawl Road, Construction of Bailey Bridge over R.Tuikum on Chhingchhip-Hmuntha Road, Construction of Bamboo Plantation Link Road from Saiphal –Hortoki, Construction of Bamboo Plantation Link Road from Tuirial Airfield to Bukpui Ph-I, Construction of Bamboo Plantation Link Road from Tuirial Airfield to Bukpui Ph-II, Construction of Khanpui-Tualbung Road Ph-I, Construction of Jeepable suspension bridge over R.Chhimtuipui at Darzokai, Construction of approach road to Tuivai-Mimbung and approach road to Godown at Kawlkulh, Constuction of Hnahthial-Haulawng via Zotui Road Phase-I under NLCPR.
(vii) State Matching Share Rs.1.05 Crores is proposed for NLCPR.
(viii) Rs. 110.55 Crores is proposed for Construction of Saitual-Saichal-NE Bualpui Road, Upgradation of Bairabi-Zamuang Road, Upgradation of Thanlon-Singhat Road, Upgradation of KDZKT Road, Upgradation of Serkhan-Bagha Road, Construction of Mission Veng Bazar Complex, Construction of Cultural Centre cum Auditorium at Vaivakawn under NEC.
(ix) State Matching Share Rs. 11.74 Crores is proposed for NEC.
(x) Rs 15.00 Crores is proposed for Improvement of existing MDR fromTuipuibari-W.Kawnpui Roadunder EI&ISC.
(xi) Rs. 2.40 Crores is proposed for Construction of approach road toHorticultureCollegeunderAgricultureUniversityat Thenzawl, Pavement of CH.Chhunga High School to Ramrikawn, Construction of Sairang-Lengpui Balu kai Bypass road (SMV) under SPA.
(xii) Rs. 72.59 Crores is proposed Improvement and Widening of Aizawl City Road Ph-I, Widening and Strengthening of Vaivakawn to Mizoram University Road, Construction of Road from Sihhmui to Mizoram University Road as spur of Aizawl City Ring Road under JNURM.
24. Power Generation is another aspect which the Government is focusing on. In the year ending of March 2015, the installed capacity of Power Generation in the State was 29.35MW, there was no addition in Power Generation during the Financial Year 2015-16 as the on-going Power Generating Projects namely – Tlawva HEP (5MW), Kawlbem HEP (3.5MW), Tuiriza & Tuiching HEP (0.20MW) are targeted for completion within 2016-17. However, it is expected that Mizoram shall receive 12% free power from Tuirial HEP (60MW) which is being constructed by NEEPCO. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) for execution of Tuivai Hydro Electric Power Project (210 MW). It is expected that work will commence once NEEPCO obtains statutory clearances. Tuirini Hydro Electric Project (25 MW) near Sesawng village is another project the Government has decided to take up under external assistance. Department of Economic Affairs under Ministry of Finance has been approached for funding from New Development Bank,Shanghai, previously known as BRICKS Bank. The Screening Committee has recommended external assistance at an estimated cost of Rs. 375.00 crore.
25. During the year 2015-16, the Power & Electricity Department has implemented several works to enhance the transmission capacity and extend the 132kV transmission lines for improvement of power supply to the public. Some of these are- construction of 33kV D/C Mualpui to Tlangnuam (6km) at a cost of Rs. 246.99 lakh funded under SPA, construction of 132kV line between Luangmual 132kV Sub-Station and Melriat 132kV Sub-Station (14km) at a cost of Rs. 838.37 lakh funded by NEC, construction of 33kV Sub-Station at Khawbung at a cost of Rs. 365.82 lakh funded under SPA, construction of 2.5MVA, 33/11kV Sub-Station at Sialhawk at a cost of Rs. 388.48 lakh funded under SPA and construction of 2.5MVA, 33/11kV Sub-Station at Khawhai at a cost of Rs. 388.45 lakh funded under SPA. There are several other Government of India schemes and programmes like Re-Structured Accelerated power development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) and the Rural Electricity Distribution Backbone (REDB) to improve transmission and distribution system that are going on full swing.
26. In order to provide sufficient water supply to the people of Mizoram, the Public Health Engineering Department under My Government has targeted 31 habitations to be covered during 2015-2016 under ‘National Rural Drinking Water Programme’ (NRDWP) of which 4 habitations have been covered during the current year. A sum of Rs. 11.51crore has so far been received from the Govt. of India. Meanwhile, as much as 10 more schemes are being executed under NLCPR, 7 schemes under NEC and 6 schemes under NABARD. Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) was launched in the State of Mizoram on 2nd October, 2014 to accelerate the efforts to achieve Universal Sanitation Coverage and to put focus on Sanitation. The Govt. of India, Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation has sanctioned a sum of Rs. 332.31 lakh during 2015-2016. So far, 84,761 Individual Household Latrines (IHHL’s) for BPL, 19,136 IHHL’s for APL, 570 Community Sanitary Latrines, 4050 school toilets and 1453 Anganwadi toilets have been constructed.
27. My Government has taken various measures for the promotion of industries and industrial activity in the State. Industrial areas for accommodation of entrepreneurs have been set up at different places and are managed and maintained under ‘The Mizoram Industrial Areas (Management, Regulation & Control) Act & Rules’. Basic Infrastructure has been provided to entrepreneurs at these declared Industrial Areas. At present, the Industries Department maintains 11 declared Industrial Areas and action is being taken for up-gradation and improvement of these areas. My Government has submitted a proposal to Government of India for up-gradation of premier Industrial Areas like Industrial Estate at Zuangtui to be funded under ‘Modified Industrial Infrastructure Development Scheme’ (MIIUS) which has been approved by the Central Government. Under Prime Ministers Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Mizoram has been allocated 377 projects. Out of these, 250 projects have been recommended to the implementing banks for their sanction and employment has been generated for more than 400 persons. National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP) announced by Government of India was successfully implemented in the state during 12th Plan period and an amount of Rs. 101.00 crore has been distributed to 10 units.
28. The Handloom sector is the most flourishing sector in the development of Industrial activities in Mizoram. Production is estimated to be worth Rs. 6 crores creating a valuable source of employment for thousands for people. In order to sustain and promote this sector and also to preserve the cultural and indigenous crafts of the state, the Industries Department is running the ‘Handicraft Production Centre’ at Luangmual. Registration of Geographical Indication (GI) is being initiated for protection of local handloom products for which Art & Culture Department has been appointed as Nodal Department. The Industries Department is one of the line Departments executing My Government’s Flagship Programme NLUP and is playing a vital role in its preparation and implementation. This Department looks after as many as 24 main trades and 40 Special Micro Enterprise trades (SMEs). Many families depend wholly on their selected NLUP Trades to meet their needs and are even able to save a portion of their income. The Auto-Rickshaw Trade is a success story with all beneficiaries earning a net income of Rs. 600 – Rs. 800 per day. As many as 69 Auto-Rickshaws were distributed in the 1st phase and 194 Auto-Rickshaws in the 2nd phase. The achievements made by beneficiaries of the carpentry trade are also remarkable. They not only manage to earn a living for themselves but also engage other people in their workshops thereby creating much needed employment and a means of livelihood. Beneficiaries of Tailoring trade are provided Foot Sewing Machine and practical training. A large portion of beneficiaries who chose trades like Desk-Top Publishing, Video & Photography, Tinsmithy, Handlooms, Automobile Workshop, Chow Making, Electronic Repair and Beauty Parlour are conducting their trades successfully.
