390/2026-2027

Dated Aizawl, the 26th September 2026: A meeting to review the implementation of various schemes of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) by the Government of Mizoram was held today at the Secretariat Conference Hall, MINECO, Aizawl. The meeting was chaired by Pu Sudhansh Pant, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, and attended by officials of the Social Welfare Department and other concerned departments.

Pu Sudhir Kumar, Chief Secretary-in-charge, delivered the opening remarks, while Pi Lalzarmawii, Commissioner & Secretary, Social Welfare Department, chaired the State-level proceedings. Pu Vivek Kumar Tripathi, Director, Social Welfare, presented the various initiatives undertaken by the Government of Mizoram. Heads of departments implementing various social welfare schemes also briefed the meeting on the progress of their respective programmes.

The Union Secretary commended Mizoram’s efforts in drug demand reduction, noting that the State had ranked first in India in July this year. He urged the State to sustain its efforts and emphasised the importance of prevention, awareness, treatment, rehabilitation and supply reduction. He also appreciated Mizoram’s three-tier Drug Demand Reduction Committee mechanism and initiatives such as the Narcotics Anonymous booklet, Standard Operating Procedure and accreditation of Drug Rehabilitation Centres, and encouraged the State to share these initiatives with the Ministry for possible replication at the national level.

Under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), implemented in three phases covering all districts, 360 activities have been conducted, reaching 1,48,805 people. State, District and Block-level Drug Demand Reduction Committees have been established for coordination and monitoring. Under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), Mizoram has 10 Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts, District De-addiction Centres in six districts, two Outreach and Drop-in Centres, five District Treatment Facilities, and Addiction Treatment Facilities at Aizawl and Champhai District Hospitals.

The State’s Hulhliap initiative, launched in June 2025 for short-term care, recovery and rehabilitation of persons affected by substance abuse, has so far admitted 2,255 persons and conducted 20-day detoxification, medical treatment and psycho-spiritual counselling camps. A follow-up Narcotics Anonymous Awareness Programme, conducted jointly with the Presbyterian Church and Mizoram Drug Users Forum, has also reached church leaders, youth, families and recovering drug users.

In the area of senior citizens, the State Senior Citizens Home provides residential care, healthcare and psychosocial support. Under the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC), 613 free cataract surgeries, 475 health screenings and 181 dementia screenings were conducted during 2025-26. Another round of activities is being implemented during 2026-27. Under Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), geriatric caregiver training and other programmes for senior citizens are also being implemented.

Under SMILE, rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging is being undertaken in Aizawl and Lunglei. Under PM-AJAY, three SC girls’ hostels with a capacity of 150 each are being constructed at Falkawn, Muallungthu and Lunglei.

Under NAMASTE, 143 sewer and septic tank sanitation workers have been profiled across 19 Urban Local Bodies, 108 have received Ayushman Bharat cards, and Emergency Response Sanitation Units and Responsible Sanitation Authorities have been established in all 11 districts.

The Union Secretary appreciated the efforts of the Government of Mizoram and various stakeholders in implementing social welfare programmes and expressed the Union Ministry’s continued support for the State’s initiatives.