Page 17 - Mizoram

Over 31,500 Myanmar, Bangladesh refugees took shelter in Mizoram: Official

Over 31,500 refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh have taken shelter in different parts of Mizoram, an official said. The number of Myanmar nationals taking refuge in the northeastern state was 31,050 as on January 27, and those from Bangladesh were 541, he said. The Bangladeshi nationals are lodged in 160 makeshift camps set up in eight villages in Lawngtlai district, the official said. The Myanmar nationals, mostly from Chin state, fled to Mizoram following a military coup in the neighbouring country in February 2021, while the asylum seekers from Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) came to the state after a military offensive against an ethnic insurgent group, he said. Mizoram shares a 510-km long porous border with Myanmar and a 318-km boundary with Bangladesh. Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana had recently informed the assembly that the state government has so far released over Rs 3.8 crore as part of relief measures for the Myanmar nationals, and Rs 30 lakh for those

Service sector continues to drive Mizoram's economy with 50% share in GSVA

The tertiary or service sector continues to drive Mizoram's economy with a lion's share of 50.08 per cent of the Gross State Value Added (GSVA) being contributed by the sector, according to the Economic Survey of Mizoram 2022-2023. The Economic Survey presented by Chief Minister Zoramthanga in the Assembly on Tuesday said that the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has been continuously growing over the years at an impressive rate. The GSDP at constant prices (2011-12) is expected to attain an amount of Rs. 19,036.83 crore in 2021-22 against the estimate of Rs 16,969.85 crore for the year 2020-21 showing a growth of about 12.18 per cent over the previous year. Whereas the GSDP at current price registered an increase of 15.25 per cent over the previous year, it said. The GSDP at current price is estimated at Rs 28,480.10 crore in 2021-22 as against Rs 24,712.26 crore in 2020-21. The GSVA at constant (2011-12) prices has clocked a 9.43 per cent average annual growth rate during ...

Mizoram made wasteful expenditure of over Rs 15 cr in ropeway project: CAG

The Mizoram government has incurred "wasteful expenditure" of over Rs 15 crore in the installation of the rope way cable car project from Dartlang to Chaltlang here, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has said. The CAG report said that the union tourism ministry observed that the work components consultant did not did not submit a feasibility report or mention in its DPR that the project would go through three power transmission lines. The Rs 99.07 Aizawl-Lengpui-Hmuifang under the Eco circuit theme of Swadeshi Darshan scheme ropeway project by the union tourism ministry was started in March 2017 was to be completed in 30 months. The Dartlang-Chaltlang project was a part of it. The Union Tourism Ministry had, however, observed in December 2019 that the work component of the ropeway was undertaken without obtaining the necessary approvals and without assessing the feasibility of the project, the CAG report said. Moreover, the meeting between the tourism department an

Mizoram Health Minister lays foundation stone for HIV/AIDS resource centre

Health Minister R Lalthangliana on Friday laid the foundation stone for the State Resource Centre for HIV/AIDS at Mizoram New Capital Complex in Aizawl. The Rs 4 crore project is funded under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region. "Although the project is named State Resource Centre for HIV/AIDS, it will be the office of the Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS)," the minister said. He said that the society has been without a permanent office for years. The event was attended by MSACS Steering Committee chairman and MLA ZR Thiamsanga, and health secretary Esther Lal Ruatkimi. Mizoram now has the dubious distinction of being the highest HIV/AIDS prevalent state in the country. According to MSACS, 27,241 people have been diagnosed with AIDS since October 1990 when the first HIV-positive case was reported in the state. So far, 3,506 people have died due to the deadly disease in the state.

Need to probe into avoidable expenses by health dept: CAG to Mizoram govt

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has observed that there is a need to investigate into avoidable expenditure of Rs 5.3 crore incurred by the Mizoram health and family welfare department. The CAG report tabled in the assembly by Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Thursday said that the Directorate of Hospital and Medical Education (DHME) had entered into a memorandum of understanding with Intergen Energy Limited (IGEL) in 2012 for the installation of renewable energy and water treatment plants at nine hospitals based on suo-motu proposals submitted by the Delhi-based firm. According to records of the DHME, water treatment plants were installed by the firm in five hospitals at a total cost of Rs 50 lakh and payments were made to the entity between March 2012 and February 2014, the report said. The private entity provided water to four hospitals for a short duration, ranging from four months to two years, and failed to supply water to a hospital even though the MoU stated

Mizoram govt working to provide piped water to all rural households by Dec

The Mizoram government is working to provide piped water connections to all rural households in the state by December, Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia told the assembly on Thursday. Replying to a query by MNF MLA Ramthanmawia, Tawnluia who also holds the Public Health Engineering portfolio said every household in 263 villages has so far been provided with potable water connections under the Centre's Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). He said that 465 more villages are yet to get the connections. "Although the deadline for JJM is 2024, the Centre asked the Mizoram government to complete the implementation by December this year. We are making massive efforts to fully implement the scheme by December. However, it is difficult to make it clear whether we will be able to complete it within the timeframe," Tawnluia said. A total of 728 villages in Mizoram will get water connections under the scheme. Tawnluia said 11 villages have so far been provided connections using solar water pumps under the

Mizoram CM presents Rs 14,209 cr zero-deficit budget; no new tax proposals

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Monday presented in the assembly a zero-deficit and non-surplus annual budget for the financial year 2023-24 with a total outlay of Rs 14,209.95 crore. There was no proposal for levying new taxes or hiking the existing tax rates. The chief minister also tabled supplementary demands for the current fiscal (2022-2023) amounting to Rs 3,265.69 crore. The total budget outlay was Rs 14,008 crore in the last financial year. Zoramthanga, who also holds the finance portfolio, said that emphasis was laid on the Socio-Economic Development Policy (SEDP) and Rs 595 crore was allocated to it for the 2023-24 fiscal. The SEDP is the flagship programme of the Mizo National Front (MNF) government which aims at bringing sustainable development by accelerating progress in key sectors through exploration and judicious use of resources. "Out of Rs 595 crore, I commit to allocate Rs 300 crore under family-oriented SEDP for the year 2023-24," Zoramthanga, who also h

Assam Police seizes 2000 kg Burmese betel nuts smuggled from Mizoram

Assam Police foiled a smuggling attempt and seized 2000 kg of Burmese Supari (betel nuts) concealed inside of the oil tanker in Cachar district, which was illegally transported from Mizoram, said

Assam Rifles recovers drugs worth Rs 6.66 crore in Mizoram, four held

In a joint operation carried out with the Excise and Narcotics department, Aizwal, Assam Rifles apprehended four persons and recovered 20000 Methamphetamine tablets worth Rs. 6,66,60,000 in Aizawl District's Tuikhurhlu area.As per the officual press release from the Assam Rifles, two vehicles (Hyundai Grand i10 MZ 05A8395 and Maruti Ciaz MZ O1T 5265) were also seized.The operation, led by inspector General Asam Rifles comprised of the Aizawl Battalion of 23 Sector Assam Rifles, was conducted based on specific information on December 29."Approximate cost of the recovered Methamphetamine tablets is Rs 6,66,60,000-(six crores sixty-six lakh sixty thousand only). The seized consignment, vehicle and apprehended individuals were handed over to Excise & Narcotics Department, Aizawl on December 29 for further legal proceedings," stated the release by the Assam Rifles.As per the statement, the ongoing smuggling of illegal drugs is a significant cause of concern for the state of ...

Cash-strapped Mizoram gets Bangla refugee influx; border talks with Assam

Already overburdened with Kuki-Chin refugees from strife-torn Myanmar, Mizoram, which is reeling under a financial crisis, received a fresh stream of displaced people from the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh this year. More than 300 Kuki-Chin refugees from CHT took shelter in the northeastern state following armed clashes between Bangladesh Army and insurgents belonging to the Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA). The state now hosts a total of 40,000 refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh. Mizos share ethnic ties with the Kuki-Chin people. The Zoramthanga administration is reeling under a severe financial crunch due to the COVID-19 pandemic and delay by the Centre in releasing the state's share of taxes and grants. The crisis has resulted in delays in timely payment of salaries to government employees, and pensions to retirees, besides clearance of bills. However, the state government hopes that the crisis will be resolved in 2023 with the release of more funds from the ...

With no new cases in 17 days, Mizoram decides against imposing Covid curbs

Mizoram has decided not to impose COVID-19 curbs as of now as the state has not reported any fresh case in the last 17 days. The decision was taken during Chief Secretary Renu Sharma's meeting with health officials to review the COVID situation in the state. During the meeting, it was observed that there was no necessity to impose restrictions as of now as the state has neither reported any COVID case for 17 days from December 13 nor has any Omicron BF.7 variant infection been detected. However, the need for COVID-appropriate behaviour was underlined. The state has thus far registered 2,38,964 COVID-19 cases and 726 fatalities due to the infection to date. A total of 19.9 lakh samples have been tested for the infection so far. Mizoram was earlier severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Over 2,000 Bru community voters removed from Mizoram's electoral roll

The names of more than 2,000 Bru voters have been deleted from the electoral roll of Mizoram following their enrolment in neighbouring Tripura's voter list, an election official said. Mizoram Joint Chief Electoral Officer David Liansanglura Pachuau said the state election department has received the deletion request of over 3,000 names from its Tripura counterpart so far. Of this, the names of 2,091 Bru voters have been removed from Mizoram's voter list to date and deletion of the remaining voters is underway, he said. The official said the Bru voters, who resettled in Tripura after not returning to Mizoram during repatriations, were electors of nine assembly constituencies in three districts of Mizoram. Among the disenfranchised Bru voters, 1,643 hailed from Mamit, 187 from Kolasib and 262 from Lunglei district, he said. He said the deletion was done as per the requests sent by the Tripura election department through Electoral Roll Officer Net (ERONet). Pachuau said they have ..

Governor's rule imposed in Mizoram tribal autonomous body

After 56-months of instability, Governor's rule has been promulgated in the politically important CADC, one of the 3 tribal autonomous constitutional bodies in Mizoram, officials said here on Saturday

NGT slaps compensation of Rs 50 cr on Mizoram for improper waste management

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has levied Environmental Compensation of Rs 50 crores on the state of Mizoram for allegedly not managing solid as well as liquid waste management

9 Mizo nurses selected to work as specified skilled workers in Japan

Nine Mizo nurses, who are known for their caring and nursing skills and approach, have been selected to work as specified skilled workers in Japan, officials said here on Friday

Kuki-Chin refugees continue to flee violence in Bangladesh hills

With more batches of refugees escaping violence in Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts, the number of ethnic Kuki-Chin tribals from the neighbouring country who have sought sanctuary in Mizoram has risen to nearly 300, a local leader familiar with the issue said on Saturday. Refugees from the Kuki-Chin tribe numbering 21 crossed the border from Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT) late on Friday night, local refugee organising committee chairman Gospel Hmangaihzuala told PTI. The organising committee was formed recently by village authorities and NGOs at Parva village in Lawngtlai district to deal with Kuki-Chin refugees, who have fled to Mizoram after facing alleged violence in CHT. The Kuki-Chin tribe is spread over hilly areas in Bangladesh, Mizoram as well as in Myanmar. The new entrants were shifted to Parva village, about 21 km from the border village, by Border Security Force (BSF) soon after they crossed the border, Gospel said. He said that a total of 294 people from

1 more held after recovery of huge quantity of explosives in Mizoram: NIA

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested one more person in connection with the recovery of more than 2,400 kg of explosives meant for a Myanmar-based group fighting against the government, an official said on Tuesday. Lalringsanga (54) was arrested on Monday from Aizawl in connection with the case, a spokesperson of the federal agency said. The NIA said the case pertains to the recovery of 2,421 kg of explosives, 1,000 detonators, 4,500 metres of detonating fuse wire, and cash -- Rs 73,500 and over 9.35 lakh Myanmar kyat -- from a vehicle at Tipa in Mizoram on January 21. Three men travelling in the vehicle -- Sangkima (Myanmarese national), M C Lallungrualpuia and Lalthlengliana -- were arrested and a case under relevant sections of the Explosive Substances Act and the Foreigners Act was registered at Tipa police station, the spokesperson said. The NIA re-registered the case on March 21 and its investigations revealed that Lalringsanga was the linkman for procuring ..

Mizoram stone quarry collapse: Toll rises to 10, PM announces ex gratia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives in the stone quarry collapse in Mizoram. He also said the injured persons in the tragic incident would be given Rs 50,000 each. The death toll rose to 10 in the stone quarry collapse in South Mizoram's Hnahthial district as two more bodies were recovered from the site, an official said earlier in the day. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones due to the tragic stone quarry collapse in Mizoram. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh would be given from PMNRF (Prime Minister's National Relief Fund) to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000, the PM said on Twitter. Of the deceased, five were from West Bengal, two each from Jharkhand and neighbouring Assam and one from Mizoram's Lunglei district, the official said. Overall 12 people were confirmed to have been trapped after the stone quarry caved in at Maudarh village,

Centre to sanction Rs 6,600 cr in Mizoram for highway projects, says CM

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Tuesday said the Centre would soon sanction various highway projects worth over Rs 6,600 crore in the state. Addressing a programme at Mizo National Front (MNF) office here, the CM, who is also the party's president, said that he had last week attended a review meeting of northeast states on highway projects, during which Union minister Nitin Gadkari gave assurance that several initiatives will be launched in Mizoram to strengthen connectivity. "Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, who presided over the meeting, had announced that the Centre would sanction various highway projects in Mizoram worth Rs 6,664 crore to strengthen connectivity in the state," Zoramthanga said. The proposed projects include widening of a 28-km-long Zorinpui to Longmasu national highway, near the Myanmar border, and four-laning of 21-km-long stretch between Vairengte and Sairang. The CM also said that Gadkari would soon visit the state to unveil tw