317/2025-2026

Lunglei, 22 December 2025: The Central Prabhari Officer (CPO) for Lunglei District under NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP), Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Pi Geetika Sharma, IAS, visited Lungsen Aspirational Block today to review various development initiatives being implemented in the block.

The CPO was accompanied by Lunglei Deputy Commissioner Pi Navneet Mann, Election Officer Pi Lalhruaitluangi, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Christina Zonunmawii, District Information & Public Relations Officer Pu C. Lalhruaitluanga, and other officials. She was accorded a warm welcome by Lungsen Block Development Officer Pu Lalhruailiana Zote and block-level officials. A detailed review of ABP initiatives was held at the Lungsen BDO Conference Hall.

During the meeting, Pi Geetika Sharma appreciated the coordinated efforts of various departments under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner towards saturation of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Lungsen Aspirational Block. She expressed hope that sustained inter-departmental cooperation would further accelerate development in the block. Highlighting Mizoram’s strong agricultural potential owing to its favourable land and climatic conditions, she stressed that agriculture remains a vital sector for livelihood enhancement and should be pursued more intensively for the overall development of Lungsen Block. She noted that initiatives under ABP in health, nutrition, education, and social development were progressing satisfactorily and urged district and block officials to deepen agricultural interventions through MGNREGA and other government schemes. She also emphasised the effective utilisation of Central Government programmes to maximise public benefit.

Assuring her commitment as CPO, Pi Geetika Sharma stated that she would work closely as a bridge between the block and various Central ministries to ensure smoother implementation of development initiatives. She expressed hope that Lungsen Block would achieve optimal performance and early saturation across all 40 KPIs set by NITI Aayog.

Lungsen BDO Pu Lalhruailiana Zote delivered the welcome address. Deputy Commissioner Pi Navneet Mann presented an overview of Lungsen Aspirational Block, highlighting key achievements. She informed that Lungsen Block secured first position in Zone-1 Delta Ranking under ABP in March 2024 and received an incentive of ₹1.5 crore. She also noted that Project BLOOM and Healthy Lunglei were selected as Best Practices by NITI Aayog in 2025, while Project LEAP earned Lunglei District the “Best District” award at the National PwD Awards 2025. Various DC-led initiatives and milestones for the development of Lungsen Block were also outlined.

Under the Aspirational Blocks Programme, Lungsen Block has achieved 100% saturation in health screening for hypertension and diabetes, as well as 100% household tap water connections. Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) among children below five years has been reduced to 0.6%. Through Project BLOOM, significant improvements were recorded between March 2024 and June–July 2025: institutional deliveries increased from 12.86% to 72.2%; early pregnancy registration within the first trimester rose from 44.23% to 70%; coverage of supplementary nutrition for pregnant women increased from 31.39% to 81.9%; nutrition coverage for children improved from 15.47% to 75%; and full immunisation coverage rose from 63.8% to 88.9%.

Under Project LEAP for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), 1,414 PwDs have been identified, of whom 1,091 were issued UDID cards through health assessment camps. In June 2025, assistive devices worth ₹52 lakh were distributed to 741 beneficiaries in collaboration with ALIMCO, marking the largest single-day distribution of such aids in Mizoram. Under the Healthy Lunglei District Campaign, over 40 health camps were organised, benefitting more than 2,000 people. Mizoram’s first Health ATMs were installed at Civil Hospital Lunglei and PHC Lungsen. The state’s first Cosmic Class (Astronomy Lab) was also established at Lunglei, Lungsen, and Tlabung.

Through the Learning Bridges Programme, 32 out-of-school children in Lungsen were identified and supported to resume their education. Under the Book Nest Initiative, 11,474 books were collected and distributed to 61 schools in Lungsen Block, while English proficiency was strengthened through the English Language Foundation (ELF). Other initiatives implemented include Period Pride, Money-Wise, Be DC/BDO for a Day, and I Kawtkaiah Sawrkar (Prashasan Gaon Ki Ore).

During her visit, the CPO inspected Lungsen PHC and the Health ATM, interacting with Health & Family Welfare staff on healthcare delivery and future improvements. She also visited Lungsen Senior Secondary School and the Cosmic Classroom, where discussions were held with Education Department officials on the current status of education and future development needs. The Lungsen Futsal Ground, constructed under the MGNREGA Material Component at a cost of ₹6 lakh, was also inspected. The project involved renovation of the RD Sports Complex built under BADP in 2011, with conversion of the tennis court into a futsal turf, which the CPO described as a commendable community development initiative.

Pi Geetika Sharma further inspected the Community Managed Training Centre (CMTC) under construction at Lungsen for training Self Help Groups (SHGs) under MzSRLM for Thorang CLF. This facility, the only one of its kind in Lunglei District, is expected to be completed by February–March next year. She also reviewed SHG products and interacted with members, discussing strengthening and support measures with Rural Development officials.

The CPO visited Anganwadi Centre-IX under the ICDS Lungsen Project, where she reviewed service delivery, interacted with workers and children, and discussed nutrition and maternal-child health initiatives. She also inspected arecanut plantation sites under the Land Resources, Soil & Water Conservation Department, interacting with farmers and reviewing ongoing works and future plans to enhance agriculture-based livelihoods.

The CPO documented observations from all field visits, discussed follow-up actions with the Deputy Commissioner and concerned officials, and stated that necessary reports and recommendations would be submitted to NITI Aayog in due course.