Mizoram Urgently Seeks Crucial Financial Aid from Centre for Life-Changing Flagship Programme
Mizoram Seeks Special Financial Package for Flagship ‘Bana Kaih’ Programme
Mizoram has appealed to the Central Government for a special financial package to support its flagship programme, ‘Bana Kaih’ or ‘Hand-holding’ policy, according to an official from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on July 28.
During a NITI Aayog meeting on July 27, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma announced the state’s commitment to implementing the ‘Bana Kaih’ policy. This initiative aims to reduce economic disparities between urban and rural areas and boost employment opportunities in the state.
The Mizoram government has earmarked Rs 200 crore for the policy in the fiscal year 2024-25, focusing on increasing access to institutional credit, particularly microcredit, for agricultural and small industrial projects. Additionally, a Rs 110 crore corpus fund has been set up for agricultural assurance.
The programme will integrate various central government schemes and initiatives and aims to empower several sectors. This includes assisting farmers by purchasing local agricultural produce, promoting food processing, marketing agricultural and allied products, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating job opportunities for youth. The hand-holding policy will also support small-scale and agro-based industries, as well as horticulture, fisheries, veterinary and animal husbandry, and sericulture activities.
CM Lalduhoma highlighted the state’s unique challenges, such as high living and project costs due to its remote location. Despite these hurdles, Mizoram is committed to achieving development levels comparable to other states through sustainable development goals.
He also underscored Mizoram’s urgent need for improved infrastructure, noting that the state’s road density lags behind the national average and pointing out severe shortages in water, power, education, public health, hygiene, and administrative infrastructure.
Unlike other states, Mizoram lacks significant industrial income and requires special consideration. Lalduhoma requested financial aid in the form of a ‘peace dividend,’ noting that Mizoram has not received funds under the security-related expenditure (SRE) scheme, unlike its neighboring states.
Original Story https://www.indiatodayne.in/mizoram/story/mizoram-requests-centre-for-financial-package-to-implement-flagship-programme-1059072-2024-07-28?utm_source=rssfeed
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