State Sponsored Media Tour To Mizoram
Taking people into confidence is the mantra for development
Source: The Sangai Express / Laishram Shamungou

Aizawl, November 18 2010: After 20 years of insurgency problem, Mizoram has not only become one of the most peaceful States in India but has also joined the race in development, thanks to the understanding of a Government which takes the people into confidence at the time of implementing any developmental works with due respect to the tradition and culture of the land.

A team of 13 journalists from Manipur learnt about this finer aspect of administration during a recent tour to Mizoram conducted under the sponsorship of Planning Department, Government of Manipur.

The tour started from November 10 and ended on 15 .

With no insurgency and law and order problem, people could be seen walking on the streets late night and the Government officials move around without any security escorts.

Manipur Journalists briefed by the Agriculture Minister of Mizoram

With a geographical area of 22,081 sq km and a population of 8,88,73 people, Mizoram, a home to various communities like Lushai, Hmar, Paite, Ralte, etc., today holds the distinction of being the second State in India with highest literacy rate (88.49 percent) .

For administrative convenience, Mizoram is divided into eight districts and 40 Assembly Constituency.

Interacting with the touring journalists, Secretary of Mizoram's State Planning Board PL Thanga explained that after the State remained under the scourge of insurgency from 1966 to 1984, the agencies of the succeeding Governments have been working for the development of the people under some specific programmes and politics.

While self sufficiency was the developmental mantra during MNF regime, the present Congress Government is known for its New Land Use Policy (NLUP).

Formerly the Additional Chief Secretary of Manipur, PL Thanga, an IAS officer of Manipur-Tripura cadre, took up the post of Secretary of State Planning Board in Mizoram after his retirement.

He is also in charge of the Vice Chairman of the Implementing Board of NLUP, which is a flagship programme of the Mizoram Government.

Informing that every succeeding Government, in Mizoram, whether in the past or present, have always laid special emphasis on public participation in any developmental process, PL Thanga pointed out that public monitor the road development work being taken up from Aizawl to Silchar with funding from the World Bank.

If the manner of executing the work is not satisfactory or the quality of the work is not up to the mark, the public intervene and stop the work.

Similarly, under the Public Distribution System, rice is being distributed among the people through the respective Village Councils.

Cooking gas is also made available to the people on the basis of the serial numbers provided by the Village Councils and the whole process is monitored by the Young Mizo Association, PL Thanga informed.

It is also learnt that to accelerate the pace of development in Manipur, the Government convened a joint meeting with the MPs, Ex-MPs, MLAs, ex-MLAs, Ministers, officers, intellectuals, journalists and public in April last year and identified the developmental projects that need to be given priority.

Disclosing that 99 percent of the total land area in Mizoram are yet to be surveyed and recorded, PL Thanga said that the flagship programme of New Land Use Policy is one such developmental programmes that has been initiated by the Government to take care of this issue.

To avoid duplication with other Centrally sponsored schemes, the New Land Use Policy, which is expected to benefit the people in many areas, would be implemented jointly with NREGS, National Technology Mission, Bamboo Mission, National Mission on Medical Plants, BRGF, National Fisheries Development Board, Rubber and Coffee Board and Renewable Energy, PL Thanga said.

He, however, disclosed that all the Government Departments in Mizoram are not free from the gripping vice of corruption.

Agriculture Minister of Mizoram H Liensailova informed that the rice being produced in Mizoram is not enough to feed the people for three months.

So, the State depends on the rice quota is being provided by FCI to a great extent.

An official of the Electricity Department, Government of Mizoram informed that though there is loss of 40 percent of the power through power theft, there is cent percent installation of electric meters and energy auditing is done regularly.

The power line of any consumers including Government agencies is cut of if they fail to clear their bill for two consecutive months.

The unit cost of power in Mizoram is Rs 1.75 .

With abundance sources for generating hydel power, the Mizoram Government has drafted a Hydel Electricity Power Policy this year.