Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of National Advisory Council/ United Progressive Alliance visited Aizawl today and attended a public gathering during which she laid the foundation stone for Sainik School, Chhingchhip and launched the 4th Phase of New Land Use Programme as well as the Food Security Scheme.

Smt. Sonia Gandhi addressed the gathering, expressing her heartfelt gratitude to the people of Mizoram. Stressing the importance of education, she said that "education is key to a bright future". She also expressed her gratitude to the Village Council President of Chhingchhip, Mr. Lalchungnunga Sailo and the 42 families of the village who had donated their land for construction of the school. The Food Security Bill is expected to combat the threat of malnutrition against a rising economy. Commenting on the success of New Land Use Programme, she lauded the scheme and its promise for livelihood security. She also said that the Ethics Committee would bring about transparency in governance. She announced that the 210 MW Tuivai Hydel Project has been approved by the Government of India under the Viability Gap Funding Scheme.

Presiding over the function, the Chief Minister of Mizoram, Shri Lal Thanhawla expressed the Government’s commitment in creating a transparent government with committed bureaucracy, stressing that creating livelihood security though the revamped New Land Use Programme, public health and education are important areas of development during the last four years. All targeted 1.2 lakh beneficiaries of the NLUP have been covered under the programme, to which additional 15,000 families would be added with the 4th phase. The 60 MW Tuirial Hydro Electric Project is processing well and will be ready for commissioning in 2014. The Tuivai Hydel Project is also expected to ensure not only self-sufficiency in power but also yield surplus in a few years’ time. The Chief Minister also commented on the Look East Policy, saying that since the whole north-east of India and South Asian Economies are similar in nature, such a strategic policy would be mutually acceptable and beneficial to one another. He also expresses the need of financing for setting up of medical college and agricultural college.

Smt. Sonia Gandhi was accompanied by Punjab MP Smt. Ambika Soni, and General Secretary of AICC, Shri Luizinho Faleiro. The Finance Minster of Mizoram, Mr. Liansailova closed the function with a vote of thanks.