The Second Phase of the flagship developmental programme – the New Land Use Policy (NLUP) covering 45,000 beneficiaries kicked off today across the state yesterday.  In statewide NLUP assistance disbursement functions which were presided by Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries across the state at 24 towns, including the capital Aizawl, cheques were handed over to the beneficiaries, making Mizoram one of the first states to implement the Cash Benefit Transfer System.

The NLUP Disbursement function at Vanapa Hall, Aizawl was presided over by the Chief Minister Shri Lal Thanhawla and the NLUP Nodal Minister Shri H. Liansailova who is also the Finance Minister. The Home Minister Shri R. Lalzirliana; Transport Minister Shri P. C. Zoram Sangliana and Member of Assam Legislative Assembly and Secretary of the AICC Shri Bhupen Kumar Borah also attended the function at Aizawl.

Speaking on the occasion Shri Lal Thanhawla pointed that NLUP was made as comprehensive as possible to cover not only the rural poor but the urban poor as well so that they can have sustainable livelihoods. He said that though 100 percent success is not possible, the Government is putting its best and wants to ensure that maximum numbers of beneficiaries are successful in their ventures.  Through baseline surveys conducted prior to the launch of NLUP, training of Line Departments and awareness and training programmes on NLUP conducted for beneficiaries  across the state and marketing tie-ups, he said NLUP should be a resounding success. He thanked the support of the Church and the NGOs of the state for the support given to the government in the programme whose aim is economic empowerment of the poorer sections of the society.

The First Phase of NLUP covered 45,139 beneficiaries; the Third Phase is expected to cover 19,861 and the Fourth Phase an additional 15,000 beneficiaries. Disbursement of assistance for the Third Phase is expected to start next month.

Broom cultivation and marketing, citrus fruits, ginger and Wet Rice Cultivation have generated impressive results since the inception of NLUP.