Lal Thanhawla urges Centre
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Aizawl, June 29 2014:
Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla has requested Union Finance minister Arun Jaitley a Special Non-Plan Grant to clear the Rs 5000 crore Mizoram debt.
Arun Jaitley has reportedly assured Lal Thanhawla to find ways to solve the Mizoram debt problem.
Lal Thanhawla met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley yesterday in New Delhi.
He held a 20 minute long interaction with the Union Finance minister.
He told the Union Finance Minister that Mizoram is lagging behind other states in about 30 years in terms of economic progress which is because of the 20 year long insurgency in the State.
This is the root cause of Mizoram being in a state of abject poverty, Lal Thanhawla said, adding, Mizoram government is presently in debt of over Rs.5000 crore.
Besides, every new Finance Commission so far has provided less than the requirement of Mizoram, which leads to the present situation, Chief Minister told the Union Finance Minister.
The Mizoram Chief Minister informed the Union Finance Minister that the total debt of Mizoram Government as on March 31, 2013 is Rs.5114.20 crore, and asked for Special Non-Plan Grant to clear off the same.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on his part assured Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla to find every possible way to bring solution to the financial crisis of Mizoram government.
The Mizoram Chief Minister invited Union Minister Arun Jaitley to visit Mizoram, to which the latter reportedly agreed to visit the state at his earliest opportunity.
The Mizoram Chief Minister is scheduled to deal with other important matters during his stay in New Delhi and return to Aizawl on Wednesday.