Lal Thanhawla highlights various needs of Mizoram at NDC meeting
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Aizawl, December 28 2012: Attending the 57th National Development Council Meeting yesterday at Vighyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla spoke of the various needs and essentials of the Mizoram state.

Lal Thanhawla thanked Dr Manmohan Singh led UPA government for carrying out several development projects in a faster manner, and for bringing out the 12th Five Year Plan through which every individual could be reached with full development.

Mentioning about the availability of 34% of the country's surface water in North East, Lal Thanhawla suggested to prepare Integrated Water Resource Management Programme within the 12th Plan; and also suggests to constitute accolades in order that there could be private investment in development infrastructures of power, communication, industry etc., and also to make possible change and adjustment in the VGF guidelines.

Appreciating the Central Government in its plan to prepare more investments in the Higher Education Sector, Lal Thanhawla said that in backward states like Mizoram, since 75% of the total existing colleges don't have classroom and hostel, UGC Guidelines needs to be amended in order to utilize UGC Fund.

Also, for purpose of construction of College and Hostel buildings, Lalthanhawla suggested to formulate National Policy for backward states.

In order that Mizoram Primary schools may follow the National norm, SSA guidelines are needed to be amended, CM Hawla also suggested.

The Mizoram Chief Minister said it is thankful that plan is there to include the city area by the National Rural Health Mission which is a move concerning public health and with the aim to carry out the mission in a wider scale.

In the mean time, pointing out that there is no proposals to set up Medical College in backward states like Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, Chief Minister asked to provide within the 12th plan, for setting up of Medical College and 200-bedded District Hospitals including other diagnostic equipments.

He also proposed for setting up of village clinics for remote rural places.

The Chief Minister said it is commendable that the Central Government takes initiatives for transport and communication through Surface Transport, PMGSY, NLCPR and NEC.

For Mizoram particularly, the existing roads in the state needs to be extended at least up to50kms/100sqkm within the 12th Plan, which will require Rs.7828 crore.

If this requirement is not fulfilled, Mizoram will not be able to come up with the National Road Density within the next 50 years.

Therefore, the central government needs to prepare a Special Road Project for the North Eastern states particularly, the Chief Minister said.

In the field of Tele Communication, Mizoram still witness much inadequacy, the Chief Minister said, adding that only 19 out of the proposed 71 Mobile Towers have been constructed in Mizoram under USOF in the 10th plan.

He also mentioned of the frequent damage caused by laying of OFC under earth pertaining to road construction and also due to frequent occurrence of landslides, and suggested that these towers may be replaced by OPGW through 132kv tower.

Last but not least, Chief Minister appreciated the plan of Planning Commission to implement the State Matching Share in various Centrally Sponsored Schemes.

National Development Council Meeting was attended by the Prime Minister, Dy.

Chairman, Planning Commission and Union Ministers.

Chief Minister Lalthanhawla was accompanied in the NDC meeting by P.L.Thanga, State Planning Board MemberSecretary, T.P.Khaund, Principal Advisor to Govt.of Mizoram and Dharmendra, Resident Commissioner, Mizoram House, New Delhi.

Comment