Dear Friends,
On this occasion of India’s 74th Republic Day, I extend my heartiest greetings to all the people of Mizoram. It was on this day that we gave to ourselves a Constitution to secure justice, liberty, equality for all the citizens.
Celebrations had to be scaled down in the previous years due to Covid-19. Today, we can revert to our normal lifestyles.
I express my gratitude to the government and people of Mizoram, the churches, NGOs, civil societies and all frontline workers.
My Government has marched on in the implementation of the Socio Economic Development Policy (SEDP). It is heartening to see our labour starting to bear fruit.
The 10th International Tourism Mart for the North Eastern States was held at Aizawl last year. Mizoram will be hosting the G-20 Business Meeting in March this year. I am confident that the government and people of the State will work with concerted efforts in hosting this milestone event.
Police Department has made remarkable achievement in maintaining law and order.
Notable achievements of Mizoram Police include carrying out Mega Disposal of Narcotics Substance and seizure of large consignment of smuggled exotic animals.
100 nos. of INSAS Rifles and 200 Self Loading Rifles alongwith ammunition were received by the Home Guards from the Police Department.
I congratulate and thank our law enforcement agencies, ably supported by NGOs, media and religious institutions, in keeping the people of Mizoram safe.
My Government continues its focus on Rural Development programmes. Under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, more than 2 lakh households have been issued Job Cards.
During the current financial year, Ministry of Rural Development has released Rs. 323 crore under the scheme.
Under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, various initiatives under MGNREGA are being conducted.
Three new District Rural Development Offices (DRDO) were opened for the newly created Districts, and two new R.D. Blocks have also been created.
Agriculture Department has signed Agreement for enhancing Potato seed production with ICAR-CPRI, Shimla and Agrinnovate India Ltd.
Various activities were undertaken under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana and Food Security Mission-Crops.
Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department continues to pursue development of farmers under National Livestock Mission.
With Central Assistance of Rs.315 lakh, 10 Piglet Multiplication Farms have been established. 800 Poultry Farmers were assisted with Central Assistance of Rs. 256.99 lakh.
Under National Animal Disease Control Programme, 26 Mobile Veterinary Units are received.
National Highway-54, which is our link with other states is regularly maintained.
Mizoram PWD has achieved 351 kms of Formation Cutting and completed 280.5 kms of Flexible pavement and 212.5 kms of Rigid Pavement during 2022-23.
The major works of PWD include construction of District Court Building with sanctioned amount of Rs. 24.29 crore. Construction of double storied PHC under NABARD is going on in 6 (six) Villages.
Renovation of Terminal Building at Lengpui Airport is also in progress.
Completed works of the Power & Electricity Department include 132 KV Sub-Station at Lunglei at a cost of Rs 16.90 crore.
Tlawva Small Hydel Project, with installed capacity of 5MW, funded under NABARD & MNRE at a cost of Rs 73.40 crore was commissioned.
Kawlbem Small Hydel Project, with installed capacity of 4MW, funded under NABARD & MNRE at a cost of Rs 49.60 crore was inaugurated.
Under Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, the Ministry of Power has sanctioned Rs. 178.92 crore for Pre-paid Smart Metering and Rs. 233.82 crore for infrastructure works for reduction of losses.
Construction of separate feeders for power supply to agricultural lands, funded from NABARD Loan at a cost of Rs 11.64 crore, was also started.
Public Health Engineering Department has recorded 1.17 lakh House Water Connections under Urban areas.
94,269 Connections have been provided under Rural areas under Jal Jeevan Mission.
There are 218 villages which are fully covered and it is targeted to cover all villages by December, 2023.
Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), 6 nos. of Community Sanitary Complex have been constructed.
Under NESIDS, Alternate Gravity Water Supply Scheme of Aizawl is being executed.
13 Water Supply Schemes are also being taken up under NABARD.
The State Government has achieved zero active case in the fight against Covid-19. The Government recently recruited 5 Specialist Doctors, 7 Medical Officers and 6 Dental Surgeons.
Construction of 100-Bedded District Hospital at Kolasib and Upgradation of Cardiology Department at Civil Hospital, Aizawl have been approved under NESIDS, MDoNER.
Construction of 100-Bedded District Hospital, Serchhip was approved under CSR fund by Power Grid Corporation India Ltd.
Proposal for establishment of Mizoram Super Speciality Cancer Hospital and Research Centre at Aizawl with a cost of Rs. 700 crore under EAP (JICA), is under consideration of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department caters to 2.82 lakh households with 11.60 lakh beneficiaries under its Targeted Public Distribution System.
Due to successful implementation of TDPS, no report of starvation has been received. Home Delivery of LPG was started in 4 localities in Aizawl City and subsequently extended to another 28 local areas and all district headquarters.
Social Welfare & Tribal Affairs Department looks after the rehabilitation home ‘Jordan Centre’. Rs. 9.20 crore was allocated for upgradation of the Centre under SEDP. Grant-in-Aid is given to Non-Governmental Organisations and Voluntary Organisations through various schemes under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Rs. 1.64 crore has been sanctioned to support nine (9) NGOs/VOs.
Under Family Oriented SEDP, 13,266 beneficiaries under Commerce & Industries Department were each given 1st installment of Cash Assistance of Rs. 25,000, and proposal for release of 2nd installment is under process.
Under Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure, Rs. 15 crore has been received for Border Trade Facilitation at Zokhawthar.
Geology & Mineral Resources Department is upgrading Geotechnical Laboratory for testing of soil and rock samples. Critical landslide investigations were conducted at 14 sites.
Horticulture Department has taken up Bamboo Development Programme under SEDP. Bamboo Development Projects were taken up at 7 Districts covering an area of 889Ha.
The Department has also implemented Family Oriented-SEDP in all 11 districts, covering 4,078 beneficiaries.
Under family oriented SEDP, 1,261 beneficiaries were given 1st installment of Rs. 25,000/- each by Fisheries Department. 22.40 lakhs of fish seeds were distributed to needy farmers.
Land Revenue & Settlement collected Tax & Non-Tax Revenues amounting to Rs. 4.71 crore. Collection of Registration fee & Stamp duty is Rs. 5.42 crore.
In collaboration with INTACH Heritage-Mizoram Chapter, the School Education Department is working towards awareness of preservation of local heritage.
Cyber Jagrookta Diwas, initiated by Ministry of Home Affairs, is observed to create cyber awareness in all schools.
NABARD-RIFD loan of Rs. 35 crore was utilised for reconstruction and repair of 172 Schools. Under the Magic Bus Project, more than 10,000 children from Middle and High Schools completed the assessment on Emotional well-being and Future readiness.
State Council of Educational Research & Training introduced a supplementary reader to help students in gaining knowledge about Mizoram and tradition and values.
Department of Higher & Technical Education is intensifying efforts for effective on-going implementation of the National Education Policy of India 2020.
Framework for Four Year Graduate Programme is intended to be implemented from 2023-2024 Academic Session.
Various Sports Infrastructure projects were completed and inaugurated. Laying of football turf at Lunglei at a cost of Rs.5.69 crore was inaugurated.
Jeremy Lalrinnunga and Lalremsiami, winners of Gold and Bronze medals respectively at Commonwealth Games, Birmingham, 2022 were awarded incentives.
Mizoram team bagged a total of 2 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze in the Khelo India Youth Games. In the 36th National Games, we won 4 medals in 3 sports disciplines. In the North East Olympic Games, Mizoram bagged a total of 106 medals.
Tourism Department has been making efforts to boost Responsible Tourism initiatives involving community participation.
The 10th International Tourism Mart for the NE States was held at Aizawl. Anthurium Festival was also organised.
Tourist footfalls from January to September, 2022 is 1.06 lakh. Revenue earned by Tourism Department is Rs. 1.87 crore.
Environment, Forests & Climate Change Department is carrying out ‘Forest Fire Prevention & Management Scheme’. The Pala Wetland in the State has been declared as a ‘Ramsar site’.
Under SEDP, Land Resources, Soil & Water Conservation Dept. created Arecanut Plantation for 4,260 families, Rubber for 53 families, Coffee for 10 families and Broom Grass Plantation for 3,316 families.
Catchment area protection works for Tuirial Hydro Electricity Plant has o been taken up under CAMPA with Rs.58.89 lakh.
The Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation Department organised the Mizoram Cleanliness Competition and plastic-free ‘Swachhta Conclave’.
10 (ten) teams from Mizoram participated in the maiden edition of the ‘Indian Swachhata League - Youth Rally for Garbage Free Cities’.
Two urban towns from Mizoram received the Swachh Survekshan, 2022 Award, i.e. Lunglei for Clean City in the North East Zone and Serchhip for Best City in Citizens’ Feedback in the NE Zone.
Due to the efforts of Excise & Narcotics Department, 3,385 persons were arrested and 3,651 cases registered. Revenue amounting to Rs. 1.02 crore was collected.
Under Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan Scheme, Local Administration Department constructed 10 Village Council Houses and renovated 7 others. The Department has disbursed Computer Sets to 193 Village Councils.
Department of Labour, Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship continues to be the torch bearer for human resource mobilisation.
There are 63,424 registered beneficiaries under the Mizoram Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. Welfare Schemes were disbursed to 2,116 beneficiaries and 81 beneficiaries claimed Welfare Pension benefits.
Under PMJVK, Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Department has established Smart Classrooms in 20 Schools in minority concentration areas.
It has also taken up establishment of IT Skill Development & Training Centres in 7 minority concentration areas.
The ICT department is also taking up the Govt. of India approved project for establishment of OPGW (Optical Ground Wire) and ADSS (All-dielectric Self-Supporting) for backbone connectivity of all districts and blocks in Mizoram.
Under the General Administration Department, construction of Circuit House and widening of approach road are almost completed in Mamit District, the only ‘Aspirational District’ in the State.
Special Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls for Assembly Constituencies with reference to 1st January, 2023 as qualifying date has been completed. Final Electoral Roll was published on 13th January, 2023.
Vigilance Awareness Walkathon and Pledge-taking was organised by Vigilance Department, jointly with Central YMA.
Planning & Programme Implementation Department, the Nodal Department for monitoring Economic Development Centres, has converged with different departments and partner agencies.
Awareness Session on North East Entrepreneurship Development Program, an initiative from NEC, was conducted in association with IIM Calcutta Innovation.
Under the Economic & Statistics Department, publications like Statistical Abstract have been published.
NEC funded Lunglei Science Centre and Digital Planetarium are being set-up by Science & Technology Department.
As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, MISTIC organized a week-long festival of science ‘Vigyan Sarvatra Pujyate’. MISTIC and Atal Incubation Centre-SELCO Foundation jointly organized an event called ‘Catalyse-Tech Mizoram’.
A new software was developed by Finance Department in collaboration with ICT Department for submission of monthly expenditure reports by all departments.
Accounts & Treasuries Department settled 1,112 Pension Cases and 1,586 cases of GPF Final Payment.
State Legal Services Authority provided Free Legal Aid to 3,595 persons. Lok Adalats were conducted and 6,595 cases were settled.
Construction of the Aizawl District Court building was completed and inaugurated.
Cooperative Sector plays a vital role in the socio-economic development of the people in Mizoram.
Mizofed Ltd. established P.O.L. Retail Outlet at MINECO and also launched new composite gas cylinder.
Primary Agriculture Credit Societies disbursed Short Term Agriculture Loans, which helped villagers during COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Bharat Ko Jano - A Chain Yatra Programme, 2022’ was jointly organised by Department of Art & Culture and North East Zone Cultural Centre.
To revive awareness on the dual threat of earthquakes and landslides, Disaster Management & Rehabilitation Department, in collaboration with the Geo Hazards Society of India, conducted one day workshop.
50% of annual allocation was set aside for COVID-19 under SDRF. Health & Family Welfare Department and 11 District Disaster Management Authorities were provided fund.
Police Department was provided with basic protective equipments and other Departments were also assisted under SDRF.
Transport Department introduced Online Application of Learner’s Licence. 22,303 vehicles have been registered and 14,476 Driving Licenses were issued.
The Information & Public Relations Department continues to play a vital role in educating and informing the public.
Work on NEC funded Multi Facility Centre has been progressing smoothly and is expected to be inaugurated within this year.
Once completed, this project will augment existing facilities for arts and films and boost creativity in fine arts.
On this auspicious day, we must remember that the process of nation building is a constant endeavour. By following the values imbibed in our Constitution, we have made impressive progress.
As we enter the phase of Amrit Kaal, efforts have been taken to achieve inclusive development, climate action, energy transition, productivity enhancement & investment.
Though challenges are complex and dynamic, adherence to Constitutional directives is an interminable remedy to reach our goals and visions.
Let this Republic Day remind us of the importance of keeping alive the spirit of unity, and of being one nation as enshrined in our Constitution.
Ka lawm e.
Jai Hind.
